In exile...

I will not whine and complain about the election results last night. I’m convinced that politics are not as divisive as one’s faith in, and reaction to, political processes. I consider many people from different political perspectives to be close family and friends, and know that our politics don’t divide us, but when one person complains and one person gloats, a rift appears, only to grow and grow and grow. That being said, here are my thoughts on last night’s election.

I am ever reminded of the need to be dependant on God, and how the kingdoms of this world pale in comparison to the Kingdom of God. So often people put their faith in the politics of humans, and not the politics of God. I remember hearing someone say a couple of weeks ago that each time we vote for a leader, regardless of their affiliation, we are making the same choice that Israel made thousands of years ago – choosing a human to lead rather than God.

So what to do when an election doesn’t go the way one hoped? The same thing one does when an election does go the way one wants – keep a healthy perspective on what kingdom one is serving. Electing a woman or man of any political preference does not mean we can shirk the responsibilities we have to serve a kingdom that speaks freedom to the oppressed, life to the dying, inclusion to the marginalized, and demands stewardship from the neglecting. If anything we’re invited into a process of taking on more responsibilities.

Regardless of who we voted for last night, in some sense we have chosen exile. I’m trying to figure out what it looks like to be faithful in a time of exile. Perhaps I’ll be reading more of the prophets in the near future.