It Is Time To Say NO!

I read the Old Testament reading, for Sunday Nov. 5, Micah 3 (see below).  And I had to laugh!  Not a funny laugh!  But, a personal evaluation of the state of our political world, laugh! Most especially the leadership of our country in light of the most recent news.  A system that, to say the very least, is surely opposite of what God had planned for leadership in the beginning.

Then I read a commentary in written by Tom Tate, that asked some pointed questions:*  

“… can the church look to its public-sector leaders — present and future — and imagine that they will work for biblical justice and peace?  

That they hold their constituents in the highest regard?  

That they will tell the truth, no matter what the consequences? 

At a minimum, that they will not bring shame to the nation or their community?”  

Can we envision leaders …“serving the Lord first of all and working together for nothing less than the common good?”

Excellent questions!

I am remembering a challenge I gave to the 9th grade confirmation class some years ago during an election year. I asked them to run a campaign for Jesus as their choice for President.  They did a through job with lots of facts and information covered.  When election day arrived we discussed how they thought Jesus did in the polls.  They all agreed that he would not have a chance against the other candidates. He was too honest!  He didn’t call names or hit under the belt!  He was too nice!  He cared too much for the welfare of others. The list was longer!  But I can’t remember all of their concerns. However it was clear that they felt the Jesus would not make a good President.  They meant that Jesus was too weak! 

A sad commentary on what it means to be a leader!

All of this, and much more, makes me wonder!  Will  there ever be a time when the ordinary Joes are going to rise up in objection to the all to common dishonest ways of power?  

I know!  I know, that God is in the midst of the mess!  I do know that!  However, I also know that God expects his people — that is those who believe in His will and His ways — to step up and say: “no”!  I also am aware that marches and rallies are less than effective.  In the long run that is.  It will take people going to the polls and stating their objections with a vote of “no”.  A “no vote” to all of the eight-by-ten-glossies who speak out of the wrong side of their mouths. It would also be good if TV stations  would stop covering the trashy ads that are only attempts to make the other candidate look bad. Thus make themselves look good!  I would like to see a regulation instated that the only thing a candidate could talk about — on TV or on the stage of a debate or town hall meeting — is their own  qualification, issues and platforms.  It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to stop giving press — over and over and over again —to those who chose to win by climbing to power on the backs of others. 

It is way past time to take the me out of leaders and replace the we!

Here is my truth!  Anyone who disagrees with the norm of politics has a responsibility!  And that responsibility is to stand up and voice our objection.  Because, as I understand it, God wants us to work for him on this earth!  We hear God’s call, for our responsibility, later in Micah:

8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?(Micah 6:8)

Too idealistic you say?  

Well!  It is about time we started to realize that God’s request is not at all idealistic.  As a matter of fact, I believe, the majority of the people would vote for those qualities.  They would if — if — the vote affected them personally.  And my friends we are all being affected by the decisions our leaders are making today!  

I invite you to read what God thinks about political systems like our:

5 Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry "Peace" when they have something to eat, but declare war against those who put nothing into their mouths. 6 Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without revelation. The sun shall go down upon the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; 7 the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God. 8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. 9 Hear this, you rulers of the house of Jacob and chiefs of the house of Israel, who abhor justice and pervert all equity, 10 who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with wrong! 11 Its rulers give judgment for a bribe, its priests teach for a price, its prophets give oracles for money; yet they lean upon the Lord and say, "Surely the Lord is with us! No harm shall come upon us." 12 Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.(Micah 3:5-12)

*’Feasting on the Word’ Year A, Vol. 4 page 242