You can’t turn anywhere and not hear about the candidates running for office. Democrats or Republicans, it doesn’t matter. They’re everywhere: on TV, newspapers, internet and signs in people’s front yards.

These candidates are basically giving up 2+ years of their lives for this. They’ll be spending tons of money (their’s and other people’s) and tons of time away their from family. Not to mention the fact that they’re opening themselves up to constant public scrutiny while trying to make everyone happy. All this to simply a vote. And if they do happen to get elected (which most won’t), then they’re on the job 24-7. And that means more time away from family, more spending of other peoples money, and more living to please others in order to stay where you are at.

It just doesn’t seem worth it to me. Maybe I’m just not idealistic enough (or too cynical).

So I was thinking… What would I be willing to give up two years of my life for?

Missions (i.e. the Lord) would be my first answer. Though I’d really have a hard time leaving my family for 2 years.  I can’t imagine not seeing my kids grow (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) over that 2 years. And the thought of not seeing my wife seems unbearable to me. Maybe that just means I don’t have faith enough. If I was called to, I would… but it would be a struggle. There is no second answer for me. I can’t see anything else on this earth being important enough to sacrifice 2 years with my family.

So, is there anything you’d give two years up for?

Continue to enjoy a laugh at expense of American politicians. Hey at least we can laugh, right?

[youtube= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPC-1iUrw2k]

When thinking back upon Palm Sunday and Easter, I began to think about Jesus and His views on politics. Christians have long tried to figure out which side he would be on. I read this great quote about “American Jesus” and his beliefs (not sure who said it).

“Several times during the week, I thought about telling my family what’s happened to Jesus in the United States - how he’s been kidnapped by politicians and preachers who decide what he does and doesn’t think. They speak for him, and it doesn’t always make sense. They say Jesus is ‘pro life,’ but he doesn’t seem to have a problem with the death penalty. And he thinks stem cell research - something that would save lives - is no different from murdering babies. They say he’s the embodiment of kindness, love, decency and compassion. But he hates gays, lesbians and Muslims. And he’s not too crazy about Buddhists, Hindus and the rest. Jews? He can put up with them if he has to.”

If you really boil politics down it is simply the pursuit of power and authority. Christ was pretty clear who has the power and authority: God. It’s his authority and power we should concern ourselves with. What happened to “seek ye first the kingdom of heaven…” Do we do that? How many times we use Jesus as a platform for our own agendas.

So it comes to this: is your life driven by an agenda or a calling?

We are called to follow Christ. Anything short of that is an fallible, self-serving agenda. It’s it about ’my way vs. your way’. But what about His way?

All I know is this - He’s less concerned with any of the political issues of the day and more concerned with the state of our hearts. 

 Will politics save our country? Nope. They never will.  Our only hope is prayer and a pursuit of Christ. His way will always lead to the hurting people, not towards picketing or pushing policy. That was his way. Jesus didn’t concern himself with politics, only people.   

Are we a Christian nation? Ha ha. Don’t even get me started on that one…

Expectation and Anticipation (Palm [A])