Four years ago, I wrote a piece about “A Forgotten Humanity”. We were fast approaching the 2020 election and I was struggling to know how to engage with real issues in our country as a follower of Jesus. I wish I could tell you I felt different four years later.
But I don’t.
I’m still struggling with knowing how to navigate this political and cultural moment in a way that absolutely honors God. For many years, I disengaged and removed myself entirely from the conversation. Sidestepping and tiptoeing feels easier, safer. But, today, I’m not convinced that’s the best (or right) course of action.
I think the crux of what I wrote back then still holds true today. Beyond party affiliations and who is wrong/right, I am most deeply concerned by the stripping of humanity that is occurring all around – especially by those who profess to know and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It’s upsetting, because it’s so contrary to everything Jesus is about. On all sides.
Instead of humility, there is pride.
Instead of peacemaking, there is a pursuit of strife.
Instead of mercy, there is cruelty.
Instead of love, there is hate.
It makes me wonder if we have all forgotten the Gospel. Or that possibly, many have never known it.
Because if we are people truly changed by Jesus’ radical love coming to be with us (read: save us), his enemies.. wouldn’t that change everything about how we then treat, view, and care for others (even our “enemies”)? Wouldn’t his example of grace upon grace challenge us, daily, in how we live in relationship with others? Wouldn’t his command to love those who persecute us and to love our neighbor as better than ourselves alter what words flow from our mouths or our fingertips?
If we say we believe in the saving, redemptive work of Jesus Christ – doesn’t it have to change everything about how we live, move and have our being? Doesn’t it mean we have to be different from the rest of the world (kinder, more generous, more hospitable, more self-controlled, more patient, not easily angered, not keeping record of wrongs)? Doesn’t it mean that we have much to hope in/for? Doesn’t it mean that our allegiance is ultimately to the King who rules for all time, in all things? Doesn’t it mean we have no reason to fear? No reason to worry?
And yet…
Here we are.
A country filled with people claiming Christianity who are ripe with fear, worry, hate, and rhetoric that dehumanizes the “other”. On all sides.
I can’t (and won’t) tell you how to vote (but I will say that you definitely SHOULD vote – the fact that we get to is such a privilege we can too easily take for granted). And I can urge those of you who profess to know Jesus, who profess to believe that his death and resurrection has saved you, a sinner, and brought you into new life with him…. to make it a priority to reflect on that heavily over the next few weeks/months/years (your entire life, really).
Instead of time spent scrolling, or binging, or news-watching, or worrying… make time spent knowing God the most important thing in your day. Because when we seek to know Him, we remember the gospel. We remember what we have been saved from – that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
And when we remember that, we are changed.
We’re kinder, more gracious, less angry. We live with more humility, we have more joy. We pray more, we trust more, and we have more peace – whatever may come our way. Our citizenship is secured in something beyond the here and now — and so our generosity has a further reach. We are moved to take care of the most vulnerable instead of demonizing or victimizing them.
When we press into knowing God… truly knowing him…
It has the power to change everything.