I had the pleasure today of co-leading (with Donna) a women’s round table discussion on Christianity and Politics. We called it ‘Rock Your Vote, Baby!’ With Canadian and US elections just over the horizon, we spent a lot of time talking about party platforms, candidates, our apathy at times, where we get passionate about issues, how we decide who to vote for and a wide variety of other political topics.
In our research for today, a friend came across an article by John Ortberg (from ChristianityToday.com). In one part of it, he challenges us to imagine a world where we get exactly the right candidate in office, with exactly the right policies, exactly right tax laws, all the issues and office appointments are exactly worked out perfectly with no glitches or faults. Can you imagine that?
Now… with that in place, ask yourself these questions:
Would that usher in the kingdom of God?
Would the hearts of parents be turned toward their children?
Would all marriages be models of faithful love?
Would greed and pride be legislated out of existence?
He also asks this question… With all the right policies in place, Would you finally become the woman or man you know you ought to be? (I summarized his questions…end summary.)
You see my friend, the condition of our human hearts stands independently from the circumstances of the world we live in. It has to. I understand with fresh eyes how Paul expected that we could be in this world and not of this world. We can do it, if our heart is right. The state of the heart trumps the state of the nation. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be informed, speak out when we see injustice, take action where action is needed, use our voice to impact our world. But if your heart isn’t in the right starting place you will be nothing more than a noisy gong.
As we prepare to go to the polls, ask God to reveal any areas of your heart that might need a check.
Peace. ~kp
