I had called Pastor Dennis four years ago, depressed because of the turmoil, division, and hatred occurring in our country. Where, or in whom could I trust?

His response? “I’ve never put my trust in government.”

Recent Palestinian protests closed the Bay Bridge (November 2023), the San Francisco Airport (spring 2024) and the Golden Gate Bridge for five hours on April 15. Protestors prevented people from getting to work, the hospital, completing deliveries or catching flights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cbRYjfGSCc

Pakistani child amid rubble Department for International Development_Russell Watkins

War is hell. It is taking many lives in both Israel and Gaza, and that is a tragedy. Nonetheless, some of the protestors forget that Hamas started this confrontation. And Jewish students are now being targeted on college campuses, living in fear. https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/4/25/shiloni-harvard-antisemitism-real/

Harvard is working to address these fears through its Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism. Preliminary Recommendations can be found at https://www.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/June-2024-preliminary-recommendations-AS.pdf

Where Do We Put our Trust?

In an election year, some put their trust in an individual. Does he or she look or act presidential? Does either act in a way we can respect and admire? Do they make decisions from a Judeo-Christian worldview or discount the God of creation, of history, of reconciliation? At some point, whoever we choose will disappoint or fail us. None of us is perfect.

Scripture addresses this issue.

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.
When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,
and all their plans die with them.  Psalm 146:3-4

Others put their trust in the policies of one or the other party. I happen to prefer this approach to the first. While I may not admire the behavior of a candidate, I may agree with his or her positions on issues I believe are critical.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Unity among Christ-followers

I have family and close friends on both political spectrums. How do I, how do we, maintain the spirit of unity God asks of his followers when we differ on critical issues?

I confess I’m tired of the current rhetoric, backstabbing, lies, and numerous requests for contributions. Have you ever seen the kind of vitriol we experience today?

The Apostle Paul addresses this.

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. Ephesians 4:1-4

Put our Trust in God

If we believe God created the world and brought humanity into existence (and I do), He will also have the final word. Not Republicans, not Democrats; not Jews nor Arabs.

What encourages me is that God’s plan that is so much bigger than the United States or our government. It’s larger than the Israeli-Gaza war or the one between Ukraine and Russia. If our hope is in Him, we can be sure that He will guide and direct us, and take us to our eternal home one day. https://www.carolloewen.com/my-times-are-in-your-hands/

Dealing With Differences – With Respect and Trust

I have both family and friends who see issues quite differently than I do. I’d like to have civil conversation about these issues, to understand their positions and reasoning. The apostle Paul encourages us to

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

Ideas for Civil Discourse

1. Treat each other with respect. I was with a girlfriend recently who has a different position from mine. I asked her to tell me why. I really wanted to understand. And I get some of her reasoning, even while I disagree with other aspects. That allows us to respect each other even while differing.
2. Ask questions rather than inundating others with your beliefs. Try to understand why they believe as they do.
3. Sometimes, wisdom is not having the conversation. If it leads to anger and argumentation, should we even go there? Is your relationship more important than the differences you face?
4. Trust God with the differences. It’s not my job to change your mind, nor yours to change mine. We can discuss our reasoning and then leave it to God to direct each heart and mind.

We’re also told to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. What does wisdom tell us about a platform? About how to vote? And we should vote, definitely. The one who doesn’t vote doesn’t have a right to complain later.

Pray for our Leaders

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (I Tim. 2:1-4)