“The Epicenter Love Is The Pendulum Swinger”
January 24th, 2007 | by Scott |Tracy remarked this morning about her interest in seeing where I swing from my current positions. When we met I was still in my rabid, dogmatic Republican days.
I was the former president of my local Young Republicans and still subscribed to all the conservative periodicals (Note: I’ve already discussed my journey to this point in this series. I don’t want to recount it now, but if you interested follow the link.)
Where I am at in my spiritual journey, I fear, looks just like that: a pendulum. And finding more in common on the political landscape with the Democratic party looks like I’ve swung between extremes. But I think that is a mistake and some clarification is in order:
First of all, my source of hope is not in a particular party. I have tremendous problems with the current leadership, but the answer is not in who sits across the aisle. I enjoy politics, but both parties are fallen in that they seek first their own interests. The GOP does not have a monopoly on God, and I can argue that much of what they view as being God-pleasing is nothing more than a distorted view of the Christ of Scripture. Conversely, the Dems have a history of marginalizing those of faith within their party. I see that shifting greatly but, ultimately, it too will fall short.
Secondly, my source of hope is not in the United States. I am blessed to live in this country. I love living here and I benefit greatly from what is America. But it is not the new Israel and my blessings in Christ are not geographical. Being in Christ, as Paul tells us, I have no borders, no nation above the Kingdom. That can be upsetting when we conflate the Kingdom and the nation-state. And I recognize that America is like all other powers of this world: fallen.
Third, I dispute the notion that the place to be is somewhere in the middle. That the desired location is some happy medium between two parties, picking and choosing the positions that best adhere to some muddled belief system.
No, I believe that the place that Jesus calls us to be is on the extremes, among the marginalized. Where the people are lost and forgotten. That true Christian living focuses first and foremost on love. That I view others not on whether they look, act or believe like me. But that I look upon others as children of God, my neighbor.
The answer is not, and can never be, political. Nor is the hope of this world whether or not we balance a budget, rid the world of terrorism or reach across the aisles.
The hope in this world is for the church of the Living God to be salt and light in a darkened, flavorless world.
To love our enemies, even when they want to kill us.
To turn the other cheek, even when it means we will get hurt.
To love unconditionally and sacrificially even when it means we will be taken advantage of.
To think first about others before we think about ourselves even if it means we don’t get ours.
To be like Christ even if it gets us killed.
So the answer is that I hope I don’t swing back to some moderate position. But that instead I will learn to follow Christ to the extremes, to where His children are. For the love of God is never moderate.
15 Responses to ““The Epicenter Love Is The Pendulum Swinger””
By matt elliott on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
Excellent post. Moderation can be way over-rated, depending on what you’re talking about. Which is a moderate position, I suppose.
By Amy on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
You have a knack for saying so well what I think. Thanks for this post.
…so what’d ya think about the President’s address last night?
By Lachen on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
Great post. Even if you are politically incorrect most of the time. *grin*
Actually, it is fascinating to me, especially this year, those of us who insist we fall somewhere on the spectrum that has been claimed by one party or the other, when - as we really examine our hearts and our leanings on positions - they are NOT as easily classified by red/blue, R/D or any of the other little catchy means we have of driving hat wedge even deeper between us.
Bring on the extremes, man. No one can ever say Jesus was a moderate and our collective example is in Him and Him alone.
By Scott on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
Thanks, guys. I’ve never been one for moderation. That’s why I don’t drink.
By R-Liz on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
I’ve thought about doing a post about this myself as I feel that far too often I see someone’s political convictions or party ties determine their religious or spiritual convictions, versus the other way around.
Great, succinct post.
By matt elliott on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
R-Liz makes a great point. I ask myself the question this way, “Who’s driving right now — my faith or my politics?” And I *do* ask the question, actually.
By Scott on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
It’s quite a pickle. It’s easy to conflate the two–especially when your faith is not compartmentalized.
By Jenny on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
Catchy title… someone should expound on that… put it to music… it’s got great potential.
Seriously though, wonderful post. I especially love your last paragraph.
By Scott on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
Thanks Jenny.
For those of you who don’t know the title of this post is from the song “Pendulum Swinger” off the latest Indigo Girls Disc.
By Belinda on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
As an ex-republican, I find myself also swinging more to the left side of the fence . . . I know I know — unChristian as that is . . . seriously, I appreciate your statement “Secondly, my source of hope is not in the United States.” Too often people that I come in contact with seem to think America is God’s “chosen” country. That really really bothers me.
By justin on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
Belinda,
I agree with what you spoke above, but I will say that in several threads where I’ve read your comments, you’ve come across as thinking that only people who agree with your current political ideas are correct. I don’t know if its intended, but, if your hope truely is in Christ, and not in government, I would love to see less democrat talking points in your comments.
By Scott on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
I haven’t sensed that spirit from Belinda at all. Instead I see a searching soul just like the rest of us.
May we all drink a dose of humility.
By justin on Jan 24, 2007 | Reply
It wasn’t this comment, but others from mike cope’s blog.
I guess, it could be a different belinda.
By jasonk on Jan 25, 2007 | Reply
Very nice post, Scott. I agree with every word.
It is a sobering experience to hear our elected leaders talk about cooperation, reaching across the aisle, compromising to get things done, then see each side go to their corners once the rhetoric is over. Case in point–the non-binding resolution passed yesterday in the Senate. Each member of the panel seemed to be saying what people wanted to hear, not necessarily because it is right, and not necessarily because they believe in it, but because half or more of that crowd is currently running for public office, and some for President. That taints the system, and skews what comes out of these meetings.
Ultimately, we cannot trust what any of these politicians or political parties say or do. We can trust only in the Word of God, which says that we are not citizens of this world.
By Scott on Jan 25, 2007 | Reply
That’s why I seceding.