Big Whoop. Part 2

I’m actually a little surprised at myself. I in no way thought that I would be writing part 2 this quickly. I REALLY must not want to do my psychology work (someone please motivate me!!!!!!). I’m not saying that I don’t want to write about this, but I typically find other things to do-sometimes less important things, like staring at a wall (for all those that still don’t think I sit and actually stare, trust me, I do).

I also think I'm getting a little heated. I've had a lot of time to think (which may not be a good thing) over summer break, and I have got some good ideas for future posts. Caution-you may be offended. Big Whoop. I'm starting to like saying that.

As I was sitting in the surgery center this morning, listening to a woman that hadn’t worn off her pain meds yet professing her love to the nurses and everyone who passed her room, I was reading Not a Fan, but Kyle Idleman. Basically, I just want to take everything he wrote in the book and put it on here, but I’m not going to because I’m pretty sure that’s illegal. So, to prevent myself from doing so, I’m NOT sitting here with my book (don’t get mad at me for misquotes).

Originally, I was going to write this part about what it actually means to be a Christian. I may touch on that, but I may not be going in the direction you (or me) are thinking of.

Politics. There, I said it. Now, before you bring out your pitchforks and torches that you didn’t get to use last night, give me a second (or a few paragraphs). I realized that I was extremely uninformed about politics and what is going on in this election cycle when I wasn’t even sure who the Republican nominee was. I used to watch the news (Fox News) almost every morning in high school, with my cup of coffee, ready to discuss the current issues of today’s society. I used to get in heated debates over why the government should do this or do that, until I realized that I love Jesus.

So, now, when I say politics, I’m going to say Big Whoop. “But Meghan!” you may say, “You have the responsibility to care and to pay attention to current events like a concerned citizen!” Yeah, I do. I’m not saying that I don’t care if my freedoms are taken away. I’m not saying that I don’t care that abortions are legal. I’m not saying I don’t care if our government isn’t listening to its people. I’m saying that I don’t have to care. I’m saying that Christ is what I rely on and where my heart lies, not politics. I’d rather rely on the strength of Christ ANY DAY and have my hope in Him rather than in the government.

Where is your hope?

“This country is going down the tubes!” This is what I hear (more or less) from many people. I care. I don’t want the country I love and am BLESSED to be in (anyone that thinks they aren’t blessed to be here should consider going to the nut house or a third world country) to lose what it is. But I am saying that if the country would become a socialist nation under some dictator (which many people think will end up happening), I would be ok. Or, at least I hope I would be. And what I mean by that is that I hope I would have enough faith in Christ to be able to know that my hope is found in Him and things of eternal value, not the diminishing fade of the government.

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from god, and those that exist are instituted by god. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing god’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. Or rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. For government is god’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is god’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes. Since the authorities are god’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.-Romans 13:1-7

That’s a bit of a mouthful, isn’t it. Let’s analyze some of it. “Since the authorities are God’s public servants,” “for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God,” seems to me that if God didn’t want someone in power, they wouldn’t be there. Now before you all go and claim Obama is the antichrist (I will remain neutral on my view point of the man), read your Bible. Just so you know, the antichrist is not mentioned in the book of Revelation (and the whole world gasps). But, that isn’t what I came to talk about today. Don’t you think that if God REALLY, REALLY couldn’t be glorified in a situation, He wouldn’t let it happen? Don’t you think that if God REALLY, REALLY couldn’t keep the world functioning if someone were to be president, He wouldn’t let it happen.
I want to include this video. I really, really like it. It is entitled "God is not a white man" by Gungor. Just watch it, it has a lot to do with the previous paragraph. You might even start tapping your foot and singing it around the house. I describe the video as "great theology mixed with the perfect amount of cuteness." 

I really don’t give a root-tootin-holler (that’s one of my Alabama phrases for all my Tennessee friends that think I’m from a hick town) about your opinions on Obama, Romney (who I found out is the Republican nominee), or any other politician. I care-like I said yesterday-about your relationship with Christ. Do you have one? Does Obama have one? That’s all that matters. You have the responsibility to PRAY for them, not bash them for every single thing they do.
                Don’t like the president? Big Whoop.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes ever. This is basically a summation of why I tend not to get wrapped up in politics*. Enjoy.

"Science and politics are the two false paths for Christianity; the latter is the most dangerous because it can become so popular." - Søren Kierkegaard

Where is your hope?

*Note: if you are called into politics by God, PLEASE, PLEASE don’t think that I am telling you that is wrong. Do what He tells you to do. Please.