Today we vote
Today we reveal to the world who and what we are as a
nation
In our world, in our country
We throw out a lot of words
That apparently signify nothing
In America, we have a “pledge”
We proudly say it, hands (some of us) over our hearts
Pontificating
One nation (really?)
Indivisible (not really!)
Under God (you have to be kidding me, besides it’s not
original)
With Liberty and justice for all (well, if all does not
mean all)
I belong to a Rotary Club
We have a 4-way test of the things “we think say and do”
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Really?
How many people in the room saying that pledge
Are voting for people who lie or are embracing a lie?
How many really care if it is fair to all?
How many have embraced the politics of division?
How many have abandoned the common good?
I am struggling right now with the gap between what we
say
And how we live
When this gap exists, we call it hypocrisy
And let’s face it
We are all hypocrites to one degree or another
Do I live out what I preach on Sunday?
What I write in my blog?
I try
I also fail, all too often
Yet it is clear we are called to be truth-tellers
And people who are true to the original blessing that
makes us children of God
· Lying
lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his
delight.
· (Proverbs)
· Therefore,
having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his
neighbor, for we are members one of another (Paul in Ephesians)
· Rather,
speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the
head, into Christ, (also Ephesians
· And
you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jesus)
· If
we say we have fellowship with [Jesus/God/Sacred] while we walk in darkness, we
lie and do not practice the truth (whoever wrote the letters of John)
It is clear, we are to be people who not only tell the
truth
But live the truth
Why do we have so much trouble?
Why do we vote for people whose words, actions, and
policies are not compatible
with Jesus, with love, with truth?
What the ^&#@ is our problem!?
When I ask this question, I often think of polarity
Of opposite values
There are the values of hate and love
Greed and generosity
Dominance and service
Today as I watch Americans stream to the polls
And vote for power and money
And not for people (yet another polarity)
The two words that come in mind are exclusive and
instrumental (Thanks Brian McLaren)
Think about it this way
Are we called, as the children of God
Are we called as followers of Jesus
Are we called as a nation
To be blessed, or to be a blessing
Do we think the love of God comes to us
That abundance and power come to us
For our own benefit?
Are we preoccupied with being blessed (having wealth and
power)
Or do we believe we called to be a blessing?
That we to be “instrumental”
People who use what we have to create peace
Justice
Equity
That we are to use what we have for the common good
Am I here to hug blessing to myself, or pass it on?
Is the church here to be an exclusive club of the
blessed, or to be a movement that passes the love and abundance of God on to
others
Are we as a nation intended to hug the blessing of power,
and wealth, and natural resources we have been given to ourselves, or are we
asked to use our resources, our power, our wealth to benefit others nations,
especially those that are poor and torn apart by war?
Today we make a choice
About who and what we are
Today we make a choice
About what our calling is, and who and what we will serve
What will we choose?
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