Let’s talk politics…

Does that title stir up emotions and concerns within you? Is this the moment where Pastor Hunter is going to reveal his voting preferences?!? Will he tell us who God wants us to vote for in the election? You know me better than that! Those thoughts are better left unsaid. But… I do have thoughts that I am willing to share about politics, especially pertaining to fear tactics designed to motivate the people.

Throughout our brief history as a country, election cycles have always stimulated fear. Politicians have power and influence that can and does change our lives. Politicians impact our taxes and therefore our financial well-being. Politicians make policies changing our personal rights of speech and capacity to have control over our lives. It can be quite terrifying to imagine what a wrong-headed politician in the position of power and influence might be able to do to me. Political advertisements and media outlets capitalize on the power of fear by trying to tell us that life will be dramatically changed for the worse if we do not vote for the correct candidate. Those groups lie, twist the truth, and manipulate statistics to create fear response through the engagement of our fight, flight or freeze center in the brain. Political rhetoric demonizes whole people groups. We no longer coexist with people who think differently from us, we live with people who are dangerous to our lives and future. We have already witnessed the potential violence encouraged by the fear-based demonization of the “other.” It is heart breaking. What do we think Jesus thinks of our political processes and disagreements?

Before we get to Jesus, let us first consider the adversary. The Satan desires disunity and chaos. He loves fear and its power to disconnect us from each other and from God. The Satan used fear of missing out to encourage Adam and Eve to turn from God. He utilized the fear of starvation, abandonment from God, and power to induce Jesus to follow him (Matt 4:1-10). Of course, Jesus crushed those tests. Am I suggesting the adversary loves to see what is happening in our politics? You bet. Christians are turning on one another, casting stones, insults and demonizing brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes. The Satan is rejoicing. Jesus has thoughts. Jesus was purposed for unity (Ephesians 1:9-10). Unity in the body of Christ is not empowered by fear.

In the 2011 edition of the New International Version of the Bible, the statement, “Do not be afraid,” is stated seventy times. If Jesus told us one time, not to be afraid, we should listen. Through the Bible, God says it 70 times. That feels significant. Jesus did not fear the greatest attempts of the adversary to compel him to turn from God. Many believe this election to be one of the most important events in human history. Christians believe the greatest moment in history is the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Jesus claimed victory over the adversary and death. We have absolutely, positively nothing to fear from our politics. We are beloved children of the one true God and that God has our backs. What would change for us if we lived into that belief with wholeheartedness?

I believe our belief in Jesus changes everything. No losing sleep worrying at night about how much we will pay in taxes or at the gas pump. No need to fear our friends who think differently from us. Maybe we can learn from them. We might be surprised to find out we have more in common than we presumed. We can keep our eyes on Jesus to direct and lead us. I am not saying that we should not vote or care about politics. I am saying we should remember politics cannot save us. Only Jesus can do that. We should educate ourselves about the candidates. We should fact check political claims. We should care, but not be afraid. We absolutely should pray, and pray often, for our country and for the candidates. Let us get through this election together.