I'd love to write today and say "whew, we survived election day!" but it seems the bickering and insults have increased with each electoral vote being counted.
Typically, I discuss my thoughts with close friends and family, and let the ranting continue throughout the mainstream. After reading so many distasteful comments this morning, I find it difficult to keep my lips clenched. My goal for this post is not to join the ranks of the fighting armies, rather just the opposite.
Over the past few months, I've been contemplating a lot about how I, as a Christ follower, should approach and respond to the election. I think passion is a great thing, but where is the line? When does it go from passion, to disrespect and ultimately to not glorying Christ?
The real question that I keep returning to, the thing that makes me cringe in my chair, scream "noo you didn't just say that!" and restrain my fingers from responding, is this:
Meaning, will people be drawn to the Lord through your status update or the words you speak, or will they be confused that a "Christian" can say such things yet claim to be a Christ follower. The problem is, when we tear down people who vote for candidates or even the candidates themselves, there is no regard for who they are as a person. Everything is overlooked in lieu of an opinion. We are saying that their opinion defines who they are and it gives us the "right" to react.
We've all been there, on both sides: we've been the ones insulting and we have been insulted.
However, as Christians, we are called to something much, MUCH higher.
Wow, Meredith. Impressive! Good perspective
ReplyDelete"Will people be drawn to the Lord through your status update or the words you speak, or will they be confused that a "Christian" can say such things yet claim to be a Christ follower."
ReplyDeleteLove this.