Confessions of a Political Junkie

Those who know me well know that I am a self-professed political junkie.  It is a malady I acquired early in life.  One of my earliest memories is of sitting on the floor in front of the television at my grandparents' house watching Nixon make that disgraceful walk from the White House to Marine One.  I was fascinated.  And I was hooked.  I was also slightly obsessed...eighteen years later I wrote my last paper of graduate school on Mr. Nixon. 

And so, I have eagerly entered this new political season.  I confess that I listen to the pundits on Fox News, watch the debates, pay attention to the polls, and wait for primary results.  It is, for me, similar to the way many of my friends experience football season.  Happily, I have a daughter who shares my fascination and gives me someone to talk to!

But my enthusiasm is tempered by one very important fact.  None of this really matters.  In the grand scheme of things, in light of eternity, in the face of the Creator, none of this matters at all.  Jesus could return at any moment and all of the world's systems will vanish in an instant.  The most important things I can be involved in are those things that have eternal value...things that grow the kingdom of God.  So why bother with politics?

Honestly, I have struggled with that question.  As of now, the best answers I can come up with are these.  First, I believe as a Christian citizen of this nation, I have a responsibility to participate in the political process both by praying and by voting.  Romans 8 makes it clear that God is interested in the governmental affairs of our world and that we are to be concerned for our leaders.  I have a responsibility to my family to do what I can to stand for the issues that will affect them and protect them. 

What God has been teaching me lately is that I can (and should) do these things, but that they should not consume me.  My trust is in the Lord, not my government.  I am also learning the fine art of keeping my mouth shut.  Few things make me want to spout off more than political "discussions".  My instinct, when I see or hear something that goes against "my" views, is to jump in the fray.  My flesh wants to engage in the debate and make my point.  But God is teaching me the value of a quiet spirit and a controlled tongue.  I can leave it to Him.  Don't get me wrong, it is not easy.  I have battled (and often lost) the rising blood pressure and the urge to "speak".  I am a work in progress.  I look forward to the next few months.  I hope to get to November and beyond as one who is pleasing to my Lord and one who has been a light to those around me. 

Now Is The Only Time

I was reading in Matthew 9 this morning, and was struck at the intensity with which people approached Jesus. Reading through that passage, Jesus was approached constantly, one drastic need after the other. Everyone needing a great miracle from him. He was interrupted, even as he was on his way to raise a dead girl, to heal a woman. As someone who needs order and structure, as one who values solitude and quiet, I felt almost anxious as I read through those verses. How must Jesus have felt with those constant needs and interruptions? He always responded patiently. He never said or did anything to imply that he was bothered. Then it hit me. God exists outside of time. Jesus was never-is never-constrained by time. He had no agenda except this: to do the will of His Father. He never feels hurried. He never rushes. He is never late. And he only sees people and needs. Matthew says, "When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." I need to let go of my agenda and my schedule more often. I need to let go of my need for quiet. I certainly need more patience and compassion. I need to be more like Jesus.

Yes, Lord.

I have been silent here for a while.  I can't really say why.  For a while, I thought I was just avoiding this blog, that maybe I didn't have anything worthwhile to share.  But I realized in the last few days that God has been working on me, and while He has been doing that  He needed me to be quiet.

Exciting things are happening though.  Some have expressed surprise that we have agreed to allow Kat to participate in a mission trip to Latvia over Spring Break.  Some are sure that we are doing it reluctantly, with anxiety.  Nothing is further from the truth.  Let me share why.


About four months ago, we were engaged in a conversation with Kat about school and her future options.  To be honest, she was experiencing a good bit of anxiety over the future.  We spent time explaining to her that there is no pressure on her to make decisions or plans at this point.  We reminded her that God has her future in His hands and that He will reveal those plans to her when He is ready.  Our instructions to her were to pray.  Nothing else.  And we committed  to pray for her as well. 


Beginning that night, my prayer for her was for God to give her a glimpse of His plan for her; not the whole picture, not a sweeping vista, just a glimpse.  I prayed that prayer every day for about a month.  In the meantime, I knew she was praying too.  I knew Jimmy was praying.  Sometimes we prayed that as a family, usually it was individually.  


Then one day, late in October, Jimmy called me.  He had been approached by a member of our staff (Kat's youth pastor). He was asked if we would prayerfully consider allowing Kat to participate in this mission trip.  Coincidence?  No, I don't think so.  Someone asked me the other day (tongue in cheek, of course) "Are you telling me that you think there is a connection between your prayers and the events in your life?"  Uh...yeah.  


So, you see, this was a no-brainer.  We pray for a month for God to reveal part of His will for our daughter's life, and He opens a door for her to go on mission with Him.  Why would I be worried?  Why would I be anxious?  I would be worried or anxious to say "no".  Frankly, I would be stupid to say "no".  I am so excited to see what God is going to do in Kat's life over the next few months, and especially during the week she is in Latvia.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to have prayed for her and to see those prayers answered in such a huge way.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to say "Yes, Lord" and to see my children do the same.