Blessings in Disguise?

I am nearly 100% sure that by the time some people finish reading this post, they will be convinced that I am either not a true conservative or that I have somehow lost touch with the political realities that will now likely exist under an Obama administration.  Yes, I fully understand that by the time Obama takes office that he will have suddenly "discovered new information about the economy" that will require a lowering of the upper rate of those who will have to pay more taxes.  Even though my wife and I together do not make anything close to $100,000 a year, let alone $250,000, I fully expect  by the time this is over with, that a significant amount of our money will find its way in government coffers one way or the other.  And no, I am not oblivious to Obama's newfound power to appoint justices with anti-biblical views to the courts.  Yes, I will admit that as the election returns came in, I, like many other conservatives, found myself dreading the outcome.  As I sit here now, however, several things are removing the extreme negativity from my mindset, and I am finding myself looking forward to what lies ahead.

In the first place, let's deal with this tax issue once and for all.  Even Jesus took the time to point out that many of our taxes are unfair and potentially oppressive.  When the time came for the temple tax, Jesus made it known under no uncertain terms that he felt that the tax was inappropriate.  Nevertheless, he sent Peter to go fishing to pay what was needed for the tax bill.  Now, I do not mean to suggest in the least that following God will guarantee that we will find the extra money we need to pay taxes in the mouths of fish, or any other strange place for that matter.  As a conservative, I believe taxes should be as low as possible.  As a Christian, God and not the government is my primary source for the needs I have in life.

I am beginning to understand that one of the biggest ways to positively affect others for the kingdom is through a positive and submissive attitude to those in authority over us, especially those with wom we have little in common. He is committed to meeting our needs regardless of what happens in regard to Washington politics.  I don't believe Matthew included this story in his Gospel for comic relief.  Jesus was trying to teach Peter, and by extension us,  that we often accomplish much more in the long run through submission than through protest.  There is a time and place for civil disobedience.  However, if every issue with which we personally disagree becomes a serious point of contention with those in authority, we quickly become like the boy who cried wolf one too many times and our complaints fall on deaf ears.  

Even though Jesus disagreed with the tax, he felt it more important to pay it than to protest. The fact that Peter was told to find the needed tax in a fish's mouth was probably more than Jesus showing his ability to perform a financial miracle.  The truth is, apart from a miracle, they lacked the money they needed to pay.

Imagine how the reputation of Jesus and the disciples would have been affected if Jesus had refused to pay the tax.  Even though the tax appeared to be "voluntary", the message of Jesus and his disciples would have been adversely affected because it was part of their civic duty as good Jews to pay for the upkeep of the temple.  The arguments would have sounded very similar to those offered by Senator Joe Biden, who, on the campaign trail implied that those wishing not to pay more taxes were being unpatriotic.  

Jesus chose to pay the taxes, not because he felt they were right, but because in failing to pay them, it sent an unwanted message that suggested that an unmittigated lack of submission to authority was okay.  Jesus regularly challenged the authority of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other various leaders of his day when it came to things like the right of an individual to be healed on the Sabbath, but he would not publicly defend the right not to have to pay the temple tax, even though the text makes it clear  that he did not support it.  This has an important lesson for all of us.  We need to reserve our right to battle for when the interest of others is at stake.  God has already committed himself to take care of us no matter what their tax rates are and how prohibitive they become. 

Second, those of you who know me are well aware of my concerns about abortion in this country.  For me, the issue goes much deeper than the innocent murder of thousands of innocent pre-born babies, as detestable as that is.  As someone who lives in a wheelchair with a disability, I am well aware that when we give the government the right to determine when life begins they also have the right to determine when it ends.  While I am sure there are many who will believe that something like this could never happen in America, I am totally convinced that left to our own devices certain individuals could someday face the very real possibility of involuntary euthanasia.

As painful as that potential reality, I am made more aware than ever that this issue will not ultimately be solved in the courts or in the houses of congress.  If by some fluke we were to wake up tomorrow and Congress and the judiciary were to have a sudden epiphany regarding the evils of abortion, it is unlikely that we would see this sudden overturning of Roe v. Wade.  The truth is, congressmen and congresswomen want to keep their jobs.  As long as they are convinced that public opinion favors so-called abortion rights, abortion will remain legal in this country.  

The only way that we can ever expect social change on important issues such as this is through revival in this country.  Laws will change as people change.  Change is often painful and often requires significant effort on our part.  Therefore, people most often change when they realize that the proposed change they are considering will be worth it by giving them something significantly greater than what they already have. 

We can yell and scream all we want to about all the very important social issues that seem to never change.  Yet, history has shown that, for good or for evil, people change as their hearts change. Real heart change for the good can only happen in Christ.  People will not be drawn to Christ unless they are drawn to us first.  We are the salt and light that God left to touch the rest of the world.

The night before Jesus died, he taught them an important lesson about servanthood.  By watching the disciples feet when they should have washed his, Jesus taught several important lessons.  Among them was the realization that life is not about getting what we deserve.  Real life is about fulfilling our divine mission to serve others regardless of how they feel about us.  Only then will they be attracted to our politics.  Only then can we accurately and honestly represent them.  I am all for Christians being involved in politics as long as they can do it with a eye toward serving everyone, not just those with whom we agree. We are called to be servants first and apologists  second.  If we cannot accomplish that in the political arena with a good conscience, we are called to find somewhere to serve, especially those who do not know God. If we take our role as servants seriously, people will want to know what we believe and why. Then people will  become increasingly aware that our values are their values as well.  That's when revival has truly begun.

So, why am I excited despite the fact my guy lost?  Because, at the end of the day I realize over half of the country doesn't support my values.  That's half of a countrywe have the opportunity to touch for the glory of God if we will take advantage of it.  What could happenif people see us really love them? could we be on our way to a modern-day revival?  I think the choices is ours.