Playing politics

Living and growing up on the gravel road out in the country, politics was something that you were aware of, TV ads and all, but it never seemed like something anybody was too concerned about. Maybe it was just being a kid. Maybe it was because it didn't seem to matter who won because farm policy was always about the same anyway. No matter, most of life was pretty removed from politics...at least the ones where votes were taken and somebody got elected and somebody didn't.

There was of course another kind of politics evident in family dealings, especially at the extended family level, the politics of who likes who, who is mad at who, and how one might 'get back' at someone else. Be sure to smile and pretend like everything is OK on the outside, but 'play politics' behind the scenes to get at or get what you want.

It seems to me that life in the church of Jesus Christ can be like playing politics. It must not be that way. When a person is self seeking, or selfish, and by the way who isn't to some degree, we tend to do and say things to manipulate people and settings to our advantage. We tend to smile on the outside while we seethe with revenge on the inside just waiting for our opportunity to get back, or slyly working the angles to arrange things to our advantage, or laying low to try to find out who is on 'our side' or to give people a test to find out 'if they love me'.

It turns out that no matter how deep the pity party we allow ourselves to wallow in, Jesus followers are called to something different. It isn't playing politics at all. Think for a minute about some of the things Jesus had to say and see how much it sounds like he is talking like a politician. Turn the other cheek...go the extra mile...do not judge...leave your gift at the altar (the gift for God) and go be reconciled to your brother...blessed are you when men heap insults upon you...you cannot serve God and money...how can you love God whom you can't see but not love your brother who you can...

This world and the people we intersect with will never be a better place by playing politics and deftly maneuvering. It will be changed as people become Christ followers, disciples of Jesus Christ and invite others into that life changing relationship. Vote for who you think is best, but live for Jesus!