The Presidential election is only a month away.  I think I’m safe to assume I’m in good company when I say that it can’t be over soon enough.  I’m so tired of the finger pointing and debating and words like “change” and “maverick” and “earmarks” and “special interests”.  All of this political banter has got me thinking though.  A lot.  I won’t tell you who I plan to vote for.  I will tell you that I think they both make some good points.

Obama says that this country needs people to work together in order to make the necessary changes for the better.  McCain says that the people of this country need to begin living responsibly.  I couldn’t agree more with both of them, except for one thing.  I don’t think the government is necessarily the entity that needs to be driving this.  I think the Church should.

I’ve been privy to lots of conversations from people on both sides of the fence – all equally passionate about their own stance.  The things people seem most concerned about are the size of government, the rising costs of everything and the threat of even higher taxes.  I’m sure I’m over-simplifying and all, but my mind seems to always go back to the Church.  This election has made me even more keenly aware of the changes that need to happen there.  Maybe I’m idealistic, but if Christ Followers everywhere had been taking care of widows and orphans and giving to those who had need – would we need a welfare system?  If we assumed the responsibility of caring for our aging parents & grandparents – would Social Security be as big of a deal?  If we weren’t so consumed with getting more & more for ourselves and conforming to all the standards the world has set – would so many of us have gotten in debt over our heads?

I understand that there is a place for government – and even a political system I suppose.  What I think is unfortunate is that people have begun to look to it as their source of hope.  How sad is it that somewhere along the way the Church lost that distinction?  I know that this is a crucial time in the history of our nation.  There seems to be a lot at stake in the outcome of this election.  But have we forgotten that our God is bigger than all of it?  I think maybe we have.

I get fired up when I hear the discussions about the economy and national security and abortion laws and greed and corruption.  I get fired up because I want to be a part of the solution.  I want to make a positive difference.  But I want to do it through what I believe is still potentially the most powerful source for good known to mankind – the Church.

We can choose to be anxious and annoyed and angry because of the current circumstances.  There’s certainly enough reason to be I guess.  Or we can decide instead, like David did, to put our hope in the One who is more than able to sustain us.  We can look to Him for the solutions, and then with His help we can get busy creating real change.

My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.

But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.   – Psalm 131