I posted this yesterday afternoon as a note on my Facebook page, at the end of a week of politcal back and forth with several of my friends and aquaintences from college. It was cathartic to write and I think sums up where I've been lately and perhaps why my creative writing has been put on hold. When my mind is muddled with conflict, I have trouble thinking about much else until I've sorted things out. I'm not looking for any more debate, this was just me, sorting out my thoughts:
As we went to bed last night in the wake of a nearly certain Obama victory, I turned to Vinnie and told him that I actually felt a sense of relief. Those who have been reading my posts and rants lately know that I am anything but a supporter of Obama's policies, social or economic.
Having said that though, I did truly feel a sense of relief. Perhaps similar to way that one who has been waiting for a loved one long suffering from a debilitating illness might feel when they finally let go and are at peace.
The writing has been on the wall for some time, and so to finally have closure is actually quite freeing. And I am left with these(surprisingly not bitter or hopeless) closing thoughts:
For many of us, the politics of these past few months has come down to the principles of who has the right to tell us what we can and can't do with our earned income. And I have been disappointed by the number of people who consider the American way of life to be evil at worst and corrupt at best. Capitalism, like socialism, is only as good as the people who are practicing it. Both have the potential to inspire a nation to greatness or defeat.
As a conservative, I have been accused of being not being compassionate,of not caring for those who are in need or for being greedy for wanting to have more of my tax money stay in my bank account. But the reality is, the more money that I am able to retain, the more money I am able to give - as I see fit. To the causes and the people that I want to reach out and help. And of course, the more money that I am able to keep to support my family, the more time I will be able to spend with them, andthe less time I will need to be at work itself.
One of our most important God given gifts is the freedom to choose. God knew that if it were it not for this ability, our service and love for him would be empty and meaningless. We would be reduced to puppets or robots, not beings capable of choosing compassion and love. In this same way, capitalism gives us freedom to choose our path. Are we being good examples of God's love and compassion by forcing people to give when they are unwilling? Does this do anything more than create bitterness in their hearts? To suggest that they must hand over their money to a government that they may not trust is hardly the same as inspiring them to give freely of themselves. We must be witnesses to the world, to the rich and the poor. And we need to win over hearts and minds, not only pocketbooks and wallets.
After all, Jesus called his followers to sell all they had and to follow him - he did not demand that they give him all that they had so that he might redistribute it as he saw fit. Actions speak louder than orders. And in this way, I feel candidates for change must lead by example. They must have servant hearts and give of themselves in a way that inspires people to follow, rather than spend millions of dollars on elaborate stage sets or slanderous ad campaigns. (I am speaking toward all politicians and to both of the recent campaigns.)
We are not a perfect people, nor a perfect nation. But as Christians, we need to strive to be examples, apart from the political arena, of what it means to follow Christ. I know that I am far more inspired by those who are actively doing than those who are actively enforcing and delegating. I am not inspired by smooth talking politicians or preachers, but by scuffed shoes on the ground and by burdened hands carrying the load.
And so rather than worrying about where our country is headed, I'm going to pray. Instead of thinking that I can change the world by electing the"right" candidate, I'm going to do what I can, from where I am, with the blessings I have been given.
As we went to bed last night in the wake of a nearly certain Obama victory, I turned to Vinnie and told him that I actually felt a sense of relief. Those who have been reading my posts and rants lately know that I am anything but a supporter of Obama's policies, social or economic.
Having said that though, I did truly feel a sense of relief. Perhaps similar to way that one who has been waiting for a loved one long suffering from a debilitating illness might feel when they finally let go and are at peace.
The writing has been on the wall for some time, and so to finally have closure is actually quite freeing. And I am left with these(surprisingly not bitter or hopeless) closing thoughts:
For many of us, the politics of these past few months has come down to the principles of who has the right to tell us what we can and can't do with our earned income. And I have been disappointed by the number of people who consider the American way of life to be evil at worst and corrupt at best. Capitalism, like socialism, is only as good as the people who are practicing it. Both have the potential to inspire a nation to greatness or defeat.
As a conservative, I have been accused of being not being compassionate,of not caring for those who are in need or for being greedy for wanting to have more of my tax money stay in my bank account. But the reality is, the more money that I am able to retain, the more money I am able to give - as I see fit. To the causes and the people that I want to reach out and help. And of course, the more money that I am able to keep to support my family, the more time I will be able to spend with them, andthe less time I will need to be at work itself.
One of our most important God given gifts is the freedom to choose. God knew that if it were it not for this ability, our service and love for him would be empty and meaningless. We would be reduced to puppets or robots, not beings capable of choosing compassion and love. In this same way, capitalism gives us freedom to choose our path. Are we being good examples of God's love and compassion by forcing people to give when they are unwilling? Does this do anything more than create bitterness in their hearts? To suggest that they must hand over their money to a government that they may not trust is hardly the same as inspiring them to give freely of themselves. We must be witnesses to the world, to the rich and the poor. And we need to win over hearts and minds, not only pocketbooks and wallets.
After all, Jesus called his followers to sell all they had and to follow him - he did not demand that they give him all that they had so that he might redistribute it as he saw fit. Actions speak louder than orders. And in this way, I feel candidates for change must lead by example. They must have servant hearts and give of themselves in a way that inspires people to follow, rather than spend millions of dollars on elaborate stage sets or slanderous ad campaigns. (I am speaking toward all politicians and to both of the recent campaigns.)
We are not a perfect people, nor a perfect nation. But as Christians, we need to strive to be examples, apart from the political arena, of what it means to follow Christ. I know that I am far more inspired by those who are actively doing than those who are actively enforcing and delegating. I am not inspired by smooth talking politicians or preachers, but by scuffed shoes on the ground and by burdened hands carrying the load.
And so rather than worrying about where our country is headed, I'm going to pray. Instead of thinking that I can change the world by electing the"right" candidate, I'm going to do what I can, from where I am, with the blessings I have been given.
2 Comments:
"They must have servant hearts and give of themselves in a way that inspires people to follow, rather than spend millions of dollars on elaborate stage sets or slanderous ad campaigns. (I am speaking toward all politicians and to both of the recent campaigns.)"
I love this post Mella and I couldn't agree with you more on everything you have said. As Christians, truly the most important thing is to pray...what a difficult thing to remember but so important!
You have my vote. May your tribe increase.
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