I’ve been a social media “friend” of a man named Carlos Whittaker since before he was famous and a celebrated speaker and author. I’ve struggled with the words to say throughout the recent political season and the events that culminated in the election on November 5th. I used to be a rabid political consumer and regurgitator, but somewhere along the way, I found that, FOR ME, it was incredibly damaging to my ability to live, move, and act as the Christian I wanted to be, so that I now severely limit my consumption and, I can promise, unless you know me extremely well you have no idea where I stand on political matters. THE guiding Scripture for me has become the Apostle Paul’s words in I Corinthians, because I was convicted in my journey that I was placing many things in front of the mandate for me to be insanely concerned with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.
These are the words which convicted me:
19 Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.
I Cor. 9:19-23 CSB
I think Carlos encapsulates much of what I feel right now and I’ve included his words below.
I am disappointed in my community of faith which consists of people who express either raucous glee or bitter despair depending on where recent events and the course of our country, the world even, have gone in relation to their own beliefs and desires.
Friends, it confuses me as a man of faith.
Our hope rests not in men, systems of humankind, government, institutions, or any other earthly construction. I recognize that their ebbs and flows, decisions, and morals affect my daily life and yours in a host of positive and negative ways. Please do not mistake my thoughts here for some sort of abandoning of standing for what is right, good, and holy.
But I am begging you, as people of faith, to act like Jesus. Prioritize His Good News. As disciples of Jesus, place more value and importance on those who need light in the midst of ever-gathering darkness rather than on your party, candidate, ideology, preferences, and social mores. In fact, consider those who are lost in this broken and dying world as more important than even yourself. Jesus certainly did and humbled Himself, even to death on the cross, that we could be ransomed from sin.
There is only one Great Commandment and it has a partner command that cannot be separated from its imperative requirement, for the Christian.
LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE
Wherever you stand on any issue, behind every vote, opinion, belief, judgment, and idea is a human being, made in the image of God. He deeply loves and desires to reconcile them to Himself, just like He did when He found you.
Another Carlos idea I love is “Don’t stand on issues. Walk with people”
It’s possible you might be disappointed with my take on these things and wish for me to trumpet whatever position you hold. I am sorry to disappoint you but know that I love you and respect your right to hold whatever position you do. Bluntly, I am not called to be your mouth-piece, or anyone’s, other than to herald the voice and message of God. This I do with fear and trembling, trying to eliminate any sense of pride or personal authority.
As for me in these ever-perilous times, I’m going to be over here, being ridiculous in my efforts to love Jesus and the people around me, to the best of my ability, as I have come to believe He would if He were living my life.
Blessings Friends. I really do love you, in Jesus’s name.
Pastor Tracy
“A day like today is filled with people who feel like they have breath in their lungs for the first time in years and people who feel like the breath has been knocked out of their lungs for the first time in years.
Thankful or Terrified.
Gloating or Gutted.
And what do we do with these very real feelings?
Take the day to celebrate.
Take the day to mourn.
Or 5 days. I don’t care. Take as long as you need.
Just know that we have to get back to work on arriving at the promises our forefathers scribbled out in 1776.
Because we aren’t there yet.
There is so much work to do.
It’s up to us. We the people. To roll up our sleeves. And get to work.
And to my brothers and sisters in Christ…
The ones who believe in the blood of the cross and the power of the resurrection…
(If this isn’t you then no worries you can skip this part…)
The flag is not our cross.
As the son of 2 immigrants…
I love America, but it comes nowhere close to the love I have for Jesus and His ways.
The way He walked with the outcasts.
The way He dined with the unwanted.
The way He communed with the misfits.
The way He sacrificed His comfort for mine..
The flag is not my cross.
America will one day fall...
All great empires do...
But the cross never will.
So as much as you love this country...
It should absolutely PALE in comparison to how much you love the sacrificial ways of Jesus.
America isn’t God’s favorite country, but we all are his favorite creation.
So if you call yourself a follower of Jesus…
And you are grateful or gutted today…
I pray that what oozes out of us is what Paul lists out in Galatians 5.
Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. And Self Control.
These aren’t feelings based on life circumstances.
These are decisions based on unwavering Hope in Jesus…
And as soon as you’re ready…
After celebrating or mourning…
It’s time to get back to work.
The election is over…
But the work is just beginning.
The work of freedom and justice for all…”
special thanks to Jason Souza and Don Ashley for counsel, feedback, and corrections.