Jesus wants you to change the world…politically?

In honor of election day, I am re-posting bits of a blog I wrote right after the news that Obama won the election, intertwined with some of my current thoughts.

I hold to my stance that if we really want change in the world, we need to focus on the Kingdom of God, not what is happening politically. I understand there are godly principles, that certain candidates are for or against, I just don’t like when God is used as puppet  for agendas and campaigns. It also makes me sad when people believe that it’s part of their “Christian duty” is to try to change things by the way they vote.

Jesus refused get involved in Politics, he wouldn’t play those games.

I understand certain people are “called” to influence that field, and that’s fine. We need godly people in every area of life. I am not saying society can’t be changed that way.

I am not saying I am against voting. If you believe you need to,  fine. Just don’t belittle people who chose not to be involved. Maybe they are not as apathetic as you assume they are.

My point is, ultimately we cannot put our hope in people.

We are so afraid of our “freedoms” being taken away, that we forget real freedom can never be taken away. It comes from within, a free gift given when we chose to believe in the grace and mercy of God through His son Jesus.

I am first and foremost a child of God, not just an American.

I am a resident of the Kingdom of God, and there are no borders.
When our hope is in our government then whoever comes into office determines the quality of our lives, the education of our children, the violence on our streets, and the amount of bloodshed in sterile rooms and foreign fields.

The kingdom of the world says that life comes from the top and trickles down.

But the kingdom of heaven is the backwards.  It often seems Insignificant to the world.

Small acts of mercy and grace. Fighting injustice through prayer. Working in the opposite spirit.  Love.

THAT is when change comes.

Its EASY to go to the polls, check a box and feel good about “doing your part to save babies. ”

It’s quite another thing to befriend a troubled pregnant teen and spend months, energy, and tears loving and counseling her.

In the days of the early church, the government was incredibly corrupt, and yet you don’t see those early Christians spending their energies picketing, complaining, living in fear, or guilt-tripping people to get involved.

Instead, they brought the kingdom of God to people: healing the sick, taking care of the poor, and announcing the GOOD news.

This is simply my personal conviction. Let’s spend less time debating politics and  more time loving our neighbors and see what happens.