I read an article earlier that positionally sums things up - after years of campaigning and arguing with over $1 billion spent, basically nothing has changed. President Obama stays in office, while Dems retain the Senate and GOP the House. All that for basically nothing.
The partisan in me -- the one who grew up going to GOP election night parties with my family, who listened to Rush since 9th grade, the guy who still is strongly conservative in terms of policy and governance, who once thought that I might even want to run for political office -- is incredulous. In the face of overwhelming economic turmoil, rekindling of unrest in the Middle East, and an increasing assault on personal liberty by a burgeoning federal government, it's very hard to understand how a plurality of Americans (if not majority by the time all votes are counted) came to believe that more of the same will make America and all of our lives better.
Long forgotten it seems is the admonition of a former Democratic president, "Ask not what your country can do for you...". The policies of Robin Hood (or redistribution in today's lexicon) rather than empowering and celebrating individual success is how economic recovery is defined in 2012 USA. At least on November 6, more Americans believed that government is responsible for providing its citizens a path to recovery and prosperity instead of free markets and 'rugged individualism.' It seems clear that four years from now, barring sustained political gridlock in Washington, there will be no questioning whether or not the US has joined the ranks of the world's other socialist nations.Tonight was also a repudiation of conservative, if not Christian, values and ideals. As the campaign progressed through the summer into the fall, the already loud cheer from social liberals grew to a roar. Abortion, gay marriage, pacificism, extreme environmentalism, and amnesty for illegals all became front-burner issues. Tolerance is preached, but only if defined as towards all but Orthodox Christianity.
Which brings me to my struggle. As I've 'grown up' -- the last few years especially -- my hardline conservative/Republican beliefs in indvidualism have been softened in the face of Biblical truth. The American form of individualism honed in the 19th and 20th Centuries, while defining to the American experience, cannot be found in Scripture. The peoples of the ancient Near East -- notably the Hebrews and early Christians -- were known by their collectivism and community. The question for 21st Century American Christians is where does Biblical responsibility to the community end and government tyranny begin?
It can be argued that the earliest Church shared everything they had because most had little-to-nothing, and in the face of persecution needed one another to survive. Regardless of this view or a much more charitable/spiritual one, they were anything but individualistic. Both the Old and New Testaments communicate the responsibility of the Chosen People to care for the poor, needy, and disadvantaged, while pursuing unity within and charity to all as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
But the Bible also seems to encourage the faithful to participate in politics and government, as much as they have been able through human history. Is it not being salt and light to stand up against the murder of millions of unborn babies in the name of convenience or sexual freedom while caring for women; to deny blessing on homosexual unions and protect God's view of sex and marriage while recognizing the humanness of all; to support just immigration laws and punish those who break them while supporting the alien and stranger; to defend and support others in foreign lands against tyranny and terror while living peaceably with all men; and to oppose the unjust confiscation of earned wealth in the name of equality while providing for the underpriveleged?
Is conservatism anti-Biblical? There are plenty of people who love Jesus that couldn't wait to reelect President Obama and might say yes. Who's right? Or is this a black and white argument at all (no racial puns intended)?
My immediate quandry is as a Christ-follower first and a conservative American second, how should I feel about tonight's election results? More importantly, how do I act tomorrow and in the days to come?
It seems clear that my first responsibility is to pray for my leaders. God has a funny way of changing our prayers from selfish to those in accordance with His will, if we so allow Him. Next, I must pursue unity as a member of the body of Christ, which means not attacking or tearing down another Christian even if I disagree with them politically. I must also move forward devoid of hate or spite towards those with whom I fundamentally differ, even the President himself. My pastor recently encouraged us in matters of political and social discourse to pursue unity within and civility without (outside the Church).
I struggle at this moment, not knowing if our collective and individual well-being will be better, about the same, or in deeper turmoil than we can imagine four years from now. I struggle whether to feel sad, angry, apathetic, cynical, desperate, or quietly hopeful. I wonder if my disappointment is because of true concern for the direction of our country or just because my guy lost.
These questions can't be answered tonight. I know intellectually that God is still on his throne and in full control of human events like elections. I also know that he superintends over the rise and fall of leaders to accomplish his purposes. For some reason, my heart is lagging behind my head.Going into tonight, I thought I had more faith in the American people. Perhaps, I should have had less faith in man and more faith in God.
A final question: would I be so reflective and contemplative on spiritual things tonight had my guy won?
