I'm not going there

Originally posted Oct. 25, 2012, at I’m into Grace.Republished with permission of the author.

NEWSFLASH: We are living in a politically charged environment. As a pastor, I am often asked where I stand on political issues. My answer? I’m not going there. Many of my colleagues in ministry would disagree with this approach. They would encourage me to stand for something. (And most of them would prefer that I stand for what they stand for). And I would guess that some of my congregation members would like me to stand on one side or the other. It is said that if you don’t stand for something, then you don’t stand for anything.

Well — here’s the thing — I stand for Jesus. And I stand with Jesus.

I know people who would argue this with me as well. Jesus, they would say, was political. He entered into the politics of his time and he stirred things up.

This is true. Still not going there. It is my job to represent Jesus — not to be Jesus. He entered into a specific political environment, at a specific time for a specific purpose. How would he handle this political environment? I don’t think any of us want to hear the real answer to that question.

I’m pretty sure Jesus would do what he normally did when he encountered people. He would gently point out that there is another way. It’s not your way. It’s not my way. It’s God’s way.

So I stand with Jesus. I pray for God’s will to be done. I do my best to love all people. Sometimes that is easier said than done. But Jesus would have it no other way. He loved Zaccheus — and he loved the Woman at the Well. He loved Nicodemus — and he loved the criminal on the cross. He loves Romney — and he loves Obama. And for some strange reason that I haven’t figured out yet — he loves me. And he loves you.

Of course, I will vote in this election. But as I do so, I will keep praying for another way. God’s way.

Thy will be done, O God — on earth as it is in heaven.

Find a link to Kris Capel’s blog I’m into Grace at Lutheran Blogs.

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