where i'm political (somewhat)

I was profoundly moved by the words of author Jefferson Bethke, posted on his social media page a few days ago. In the midst of immigration conflicts and a devastating crisis at the border, these words resonated with me deeply: 

Here's the most frustrating thing- care for the vulnerable and orphan and child and helpless is so high and non-negotiable on the list of Jesus' following marching orders. What do we do when we can't even get this one right?

And I understand immigration is complex and vast. Lawmakers will do what lawmakers do, but as Jesus people, we have a higher allegiance. We don't pledge to the flag, we pledge to the slaughtered lamb. What would it look like if we took that pledge more seriously? (Matthew 25:40-45)

Lastly, if you're a Christian, please understand that following Jesus is DEEPLY political and we can't escape that. The word politic comes from the greek word 'polis' which means city. It's to have a vision of flourishing and government for a city and people. And by that definition... 

The kingdom of God is inherently political. Saying Jesus is Lord is deeply political as well. Why? Because when you're saying that, you are also saying at the [same] time that the current vision of particular parties aren't. We bow down to the lamb, not the donkey or the elephant. 

And so blindly wrapping up our Christian faith in one particular party is close to idolatry. Instead remember as followers of Jesus, we prophetically stand above both as citizens of the King proclaiming a richer, more beautiful, subversive vision for human flourishing. 

I have so often been guilty of putting my hope in the vision of a political ideology, party or candidate instead of in the Kingdom vision of the triune God. And I know am I not alone in this risky way of thinking. Rhetoric like "America first" permeates our political climate and dialogue, yet is so blatantly inconsistent with the words of Christ, who claimed unapologetically that the first will be the last. And please note that similar dialogue is used in my own country of Canada, and in my home of Québec. 

We consider our nations and peoples as absolutes. We so often forget that executive orders, institutions, ideologies, governments, leaders, countries, peoples- are all temporary. When the Roman Empire dissolved itself, Christians were shocked. They had assumed the triumph of the Kingdom of God through Christ was inherently intertwined with that of the Empire. Today, we see this was inarguably wrong. And I think we are missing the point today, too. 

Don't get me wrong. I believe in being political, in fulfilling civic and political duties, in being passionately informed, in fighting for what is good, just and right. 

But where do you place your hope today? As Kingdom people, we must ask ourselves where it lies. 

May we look to change and love the world, without appropriating the world as an absolute. Let's remember our pledge to the One who loves.