What About Us?

Let’s start with what we know about certain people in the political realm. We know that the current administration is the worst to ever rule in American history. They have absolutely no ethical principles. They have no moral fiber, but have a considerable immoral appetite. They have brought deceit into a new and higher art form. The current president proclaimed, “I am a Christian” without having an iota of an idea what the word even means. That’s what we know about them. But what about the loyal opposition?

This year’s election cycle is revealing some equally sad facts about the opposing team. Compassion is a word nearly unheard of from the competing candidates. Kick out those who we don’t like. Don’t let in the ones who are fleeing for their lives. Break up families in the name of our God! What kind of God do we serve?

We offer the pretense of moral indignation. It is like the Pharisee praying in the street. Look at me for I am better than thee. We call for prayer to raise up righteous rulers and then cheer those with the most unrighteous causes. Isaiah 58 reveals what God thinks about this kind of prayer and assumptions on His response to our cry.

“This is what I want,” He says. “Let the oppressed go free.” Is there any freedom for those who dwell in the constant shadow of death from too many warring factions to keep track of? “I want you to share your bread with the hungry,” He says. We are the most agriculturally developed country in the world and we could feed tens of thousands more hungry stomachs. “I want you to bring the oppressed and poor into your houses,” He says. We say that we don’t want them closer than 3,000 miles from our borders let alone welcome in our houses. “I want you to satisfy the afflicted soul,” He says. We want to watch them cry for help and ignore their pleas for safety and hope.

God says that if we want Him to recognize our prayers that He has an agenda for us to follow. Be compassionate. Be loving. Embrace the stranger. Care for the stricken, not from a distance but from your own home.

“Then,” He says, “Your light shall dawn in the darkness. Your healing shall spring forth speedily.” Do we really want healing for America or is it just a platitude? Are we willing to exchange one unethical and immoral government for a different unethical and immoral one? What about us?