POLITICAL THINKING TRAPS
Today we elect the next president that will lead America for at least the next four years. To say that this political season has been tumultuous would be an understatement. I’ve watched families literally split apart over how they will be voting, and thanksgiving tables may hold a little less gratitude this year. Our nation, communities, families and churches have the powerful capacity to contain a diverse range of political perspectives, but there are some thought patterns that always create division or minimize our personal and collective creative energy.
Here are some thinking traps that you might find yourself easily ensnared in after this election.
“GOD JUST LOST A GOOD CHUNK OF HIS POWER”
It’s amazing how the sovereignty of God changes so rapidly based on who is in office. If you disagree with the president, God obviously cannot wait to remove them. If you agree with the president, God has obviously ordained them for such a time as this. But what happens when God’s candidate loses? What happens when God’s arch enemy wins?
While I believe God cares deeply about who is leading our nation, and may even mourn over or bless decisions made by them, He is not anxious. At no point in time does he feel powerless, hopeless or any less in control. If your god’s ability to reign over humanity is dependent on a president, senator, justice or governor, your god is way too small.
THE SOLUTION: Pray for our leaders. And not one of those snarky, “God please rain down your vengeance” prayers — but prayers for wisdom and righteousness.
“MY ATTITUDE ONLINE IS SPIRITUALLY JUSTIFIED”
For whatever reason, so many people of faith have felt justified in low-blow attacks towards political candidates or their family members, and even more spiteful comments towards people that may be inclined to vote a certain way. There is an evil boldness that the platforms of facebook and twitter have created, where we feel empowered to post at loved ones in a way that we would never share with them in person. The screen has become a distancing agent that allows us to “speak our truth” with little consideration for others (of which, I am completely guilty at times). The horrific part is that so much of this is done in the name of God.
While I will fight for anyone’s right to challenge or critique a leader or policy, there is a world of difference between passion and spite. Jesus had no issue with boldly speaking truth, but it was always face-to-face with people he loved and/or continued to pursue in relationship.
For many, their candidate will win and they will lose their character and credibility. We often justify our lashing out at people as “righteous anger.” Dallas Willard, a theologian, was once asked about the place of righteous anger in the life of the believer. He responded with, “I suppose righteous anger should be reserved for the self righteous.” Ouch.
THE SOLUTION: Listen twice as much as you speak. When you do speak, let it be noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. If you wouldn’t call someone up and say it, don’t post it, tweet it or write it in a comment section. Resist both rubbing in a victory or being bitter in a loss.
“IT’S ALL OVER”
Apathy will be the spiritual destination that half of the nation will drift towards when their candidate loses. This thinking trap is very similar to “God just lost a good chunk of His power,” but the powerlessness shifts from God to humanity. Darkness will have taken over the land, the fall of empire is eminent and there is nothing left to do besides wait out our impending doom.
Ok, it may not be that dramatic, but when you look around it can feel that way at times. Be aware when you or others find themselves saying things like:
“This is going to be a complete mess”
“I don’t know what we are going to do”
“Well, I guess (fill in the blank evil) won”
THE SOLUTION: Act immediately. In many ways, you can impact greater change in your neighborhood and city than any president ever will in 8 years in office. Go volunteer, start organizing, and call up your people. If you don’t know where to start, ask a pastor, call your city councilperson or google nonprofits in your area.
“MY WORK HERE IS DONE”
This is the flip of the above. If your candidate of choice wins, there will be a natural tendency to breathe a sigh of relief, shake the dust off your feet and leave them to it. The day has been saved and all is well in the world. The problem with both of the thinking traps is the assumption that the government is the answer for humanity that the church was always meant to be. Just because your candidate of choice holds your views on abortion, immigration, justice or racial reconciliation doesn't mean it’s now resolved. Your mission continues.
Notice if you find yourself or others saying things like:
“Well, at least the unborn is now secure”
“At least racial injustice is now going to be fixed.”
“Finally someone is going to reform immigration.”
You and I were the ones made to secure, fix and reform the darkness in our communities.
THE SOLUTION: Again — act immediately. For the citizen of the kingdom of heaven, November 3rd is but another day in a lifetime of service to our world.
