rMag

A Pilgrim at Peace

Andrew Branch

Ok. I confess. I’m an addict…to politics! Every day, I often do school until noon, and then I take my lunch break listening to Rush Limbaugh. After lunch, I finish my school in time to listen to Shawn Hannity and Mark Levin.

As the election approached, my mind became increasingly dominated by politics, and this constant immersion in the mudpit of the 2008 elections has left me drowning. 

I am constantly daydreaming about what I would say to that House Speaker, that presidential candidate, that party, or that Congress if I ever had the chance to give them a piece of my mind. The state of the union has not just been dominating my mind, however, but it also has been weighing it down. 

As a Christian, I fear the direction that the country is going—and not just in the paranoid, doomsday, socialism/loss of freedom light. America is rapidly turning into a modern day manifestation of the Pilgrim’s Progress’s city, Vanity Fair.  No one needs to look farther than the political scene to see this. However, on the possibly more alarming ideological note, Christianity is rapidly losing favor in the eyes of the populous, some radicals in academia terming it “intellectual terrorism” (courtesy of a scientist interviewed in Ben Stein’s Expelled, in reference to teaching Christianity to children).

I am addicted — and there needs to be an intervention. I need — perhaps we all need — a change in perspective. 

A Biblical Outlook on Current Events 

In the tribute to faith section of the epistle to the Hebrews, we read:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

How can we do that when so much in America is looking bad for the Christian? Two chapters before, we read that “the just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38). By faith, Abraham left the great and prosperous America of his day and set out on a journey, not knowing where he was going, but trusting God (11:8). He confessed that he was but a stranger and pilgrim on the earth (11:13). Can we learn from his example? Certainly.

The times are truly dark. To me, the American Dream hangs by a thread. All the freedoms that our founding fathers fought for — and which we take for granted — are on a shifting and unsound foundation. I worry for my grandchildren. However, Abraham teaches us this: this world was not his home. Neither is it ours. Here are some things that we too often forget.

First, as I said, this world is not our home. Abraham looked “for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10). So should we. Abraham, as Paul in Philippians 3, recognized this and gave up everything to follow God. Abraham even more, did not receive the promise in his lifetime.

Secondly, although I love this country and hate to see its downturn, we are commanded, “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (I John 2:15). Abraham did not esteem his country over God’s and trusted God to fulfill his promise. America is temporary, not eternal.  As John said, “The world is passing away” (I John 2:17).

Finally and perhaps most importantly, we must remember that God is in control. We often forget that we are still blessed more than anyone ever has been in history — and everything we do have is a gift from God in the first place. Regardless of where we fear things are going, the Bible still tells us that God raises up leaders and brings them down. We read that “all things work together for good for those who love God” (Romans 8:28). We read that God will “supply all of our needs” (Philippians 4:19). Abraham, Paul, and all our “great cloud of witnesses” recognized this.  So should we.  

Where Our Focus Should Be

Don’t misunderstand. This by no means authorizes us to be Corinthian Christians: to quit our jobs and do nothing but wait for Jesus. We can and should, as Christians, stand up for what is right.  In America, we are given the opportunity to freely speak out.  This election is passed.  How can we be used of God in future elections — and even now — to fulfill our duty to be salt and light in the world?  There are two major ways that we can do this.

First, we can be active in the political arena.  I’m not advocating giving a biblical mandate to support a political agenda, but the principles (i.e. abortion and homosexuality, among others) are very important.  Those of us who are old enough can help out on future campaigns.  There are opportunities for Christian teens to get involved in local organizations that campaign for Godly leaders.  Other avenues of involvement include what you are now reading — be creative.  In a free country, with a free discussion of ideas, it’s hard to fine a real excuse to not speak out somehow.

Second, while we can be active in the political arena, we perhaps have a greater responsibility. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says:

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We are to pray for our leaders.  However, verse four implies that we should not just pray that God would lead them to make the right decisions — we are to pray for their salvation.  This is very important.  I think we often times treat the symptom rather than the disease.  Can we expect people to change their minds on homosexuality, a sin against God, if they do not even believe in God?  People are going to hell.  Do we care?  The biggest agent for “change,” as we have been hearing lately, is the Gospel.  Preserving our freedom may seem important, but a person’s vote isn’t nearly as significant as his eternal destiny.  As Christians it is vital to keep this foremost in our hearts and minds.

Summing It Up

We can love our country and care about it. We can stand up for what is right, as our responsibility is in being salt and light, aided greatly by the voice we have in a free country. We are also instructed to pray for our leaders and even more to be preaching the Gospel, living, and serving — not sitting or, as my case was, sulking — for the glory of God.

Let none of us forget, however, that God is sovereign and everything is in His hands. Let none of us forget that America won’t last forever and that what happens to America has no bearing on eternity.  Most importantly let us remember that we are looking forward to something more wonderful than can be expressed!  The Bible says that a just weight and balance are the Lord’s delight, and as Christians it is important that we balance these perspectives.

This world is not our home. We are “just passing through.” May it be said of us as it was said of Abraham and his family: “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16).