In the fall of 2000, I was living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Technically, I lived in Wyoming, Michigan just off of 44th St. This area has many churches, Christian bookstores, Christian publishers, and Christian colleges. Grand Rapids is definitely a white evangelical hub (though the city as a whole continues to grow racially and culturally diverse.) The area of the city that I lived in was predominately white. As the presidential election drew near that fall, there was definitely an excitement in the air. People were excited for a new candidate. Christians were engaged in the political process. They encouraged and exhorted one another to get out to vote. Their candidate was elected that fall. Although I can't remember hearing it that fall, there was definitely a sense of "we won" after the election. It was even stated that God had given "us" the victory in the election.
Fast forward the tape...
It is the fall of 2008. I live in Chicago, Illinois. I live on the south side of the city in a neighborhood called Woodlawn. The south side is saturated with churches (Woodlawn is no exception). Chicago as a whole is very racially and culturally diverse, however where I live it is predominately African-American. As the presidential election drew near this fall, there was definitely an excitement in the air. People were excited for a new candidate. Christians were engaged in the political process. They encouraged and exhorted one another to get out to vote. Their candidate was elected. The day after the election, people were excited and there was a sense that "we won" the election. It has even been stated that God has given "us" the victory in the election.
Although I don't know this for fact, but I am willing to bet that the people in Woodlawn were not all that thrilled with the 2000 election result. Again, althougth I don't know this for fact, but I am willing to bet that the people of Wyoming (MI) were not all that thrilled with the 2008 election result. I am even willing to bet that this past Sunday morning, the churches in Wyoming mentioned that God is sovereign over elections, while the churches in Woodlawn celebrated the election.
The body of Christ is racially, culturally, and even politically diverse. However, the most disturbing thing to me during election season is our lack of humility and grace with one another regarding our diverse political perspectives. We stay in either our "red" or "blue" huddles and only interact with the "other side" through nasty email forwards or self-righteous blog comments. It is great that we are passionate about issues. We should be. However, I just wish we made more of an effort to understand one another. We could actually learn from one another and even sharpen one another.
I get the sense that we are as divided as ever as a church - racially, politically, etc. Maybe I am wrong (I hope I am). I am praying for grace, humility, and a desire to learn from one another. Let's hang out. Let's build with one another. Our testimony to a watching world is at stake.
5 comments:
AMEN, and AMEN! We shouldn't put our faith in politicians, or in a government. We need to put our faith in the true president and the true government. The one we pray for when we say, "Thy kingdom come, They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Dave,
Hey man I hit the link of the person called "hi def porn" thinking they were just trying to get attention and thought it would be decent since the comment was about the will of God and it was pertaining to the post and next thing you know a porn picture popped up.
I would erase this comment man so know one else will see it. It seems legit based on the comment and its reference to God and the post but its not.
Dont hit the link bro, it is really porn.
I've realized, crossing the lines is something we Christians aren't good at. Whether it's racial, denominational or political we get confused in thinking we are "compromising truth" or hide behind excuses like "we would lose our integrity." When in reality we don't want to be uncomfortable or in our pride we think we have the corner on the truth or we simply choose disobedience. And at such cost, like Dave said, "Our testimony to a watching world is at stake". We should be building bridges, learning from, and who knows perhaps even be discovering truth. I think these are the hidden blessings of loving our neighbor.
Amen Dave, good post.
Miss you brother.
Nate,
Is that you man?? Amen to your comment!!
Allan,
Well said. I think a lot of our not crossing lines boils down to comfort. Miss you too man!
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