In the last article I wrote about the Republican and
Democratic party’s conflicts I asked for prayer. Guess we need to pray more. As a pastor and counselor it is clear to me
that this is a dysfunctional system and they need help and do not recognize it. That is called denial. In most systems whether marital or business
when an impasse is reached people call for a counselor, consultant or a neutral
third party. The problem with our
government is it does not recognize its need for help. It believes it has the answers but the
results prove it wrong. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting
different results is one definition of insanity. Do governments lose their mental health?
This government shutdown, the longest in our history, is a
conflict that is a win-lose or lose- lose and those losing are the government
workers who are not being paid. This is
unacceptable collateral damage in a war where there needs to be cooperation by
public servants that are not doing the jobs they were hired for. Sanctions
against our own people only hurt us. This is not about who is right and who is
wrong but from a Biblical perspective about arrogance and self- righteousness. When too much power is granted there is
usually abuse of power or ugly power struggles. In our country we are to be governed
by the “rule of law.” However, the founders believed that we needed a culture
of virtue in order to have a successful republic that creates and maintains a
healthy functional government. So
virtues like humility, and respect are required to create a functional republic.
As believers in Christ we are also called to speak out
against evil and this system is becoming more and more evil. We are to call on those in power to confess
their sins and repent. Both the
Democrats and Republicans are creating hardship for others without doing
anything corrective about their wrong doing.
In our country government is to be called into accountability by the
people they serve.
The arguing invites people to side with one group or another,
polarization. Sometimes taking sides
blinds us to the wrongs of the people we side with and then we fail to be salt
and light in situations that need moral and spiritual discernment. We become
emotionally reactive rather than led by virtue and faith. Can you see the evil
of this system? Are you becoming a part
of the problem or a part of the solution?
Have you withdrawn from the conflict and are not a part of the solution?
Many politicians are enmeshed in their own political party
and believe they have to be loyal to their party by winning against the other
party or they will not be reelected. They do not know that many of us want
ethical and godly politicians in office. You can write letters to your
congressmen and ask for a resolve of this conflict. That working across party lines is not
disloyalty to many in America. We want public servants to resolve problems not
fight each other. Tell them to stop victimizing the innocent and work together
on immigration reform in a way that solves the problem rather than creates more
chaos.
Christians are called to overcome evil by doing good and
serving the needy. Many across the
nation are organizing to help those who are not being paid in this government
shutdown. We can do this in our home towns
and cities. We can overcome evil by
providing resources for those not receiving their pay checks. We can start with ministering in our own
congregations and neighborhoods. Do you
know a federal employee who is not receiving a pay check? Is your church helping?
The Community Food bank and DES are both trying to be of
service.
To reach your US representatives call (202) 225-3121. To
reach US Senators call (202) 224-3121
