Friday, January 20, 2017

How Do We Move Forward?

Donald Trump will be sworn in as our nation's 45th president on Friday. Some question the legitimacy of his presidency. Some will march over the weekend to protest his policies. Some will celebrate his inauguration, believing that he is the right person for the job. Regardless of one's perspective, it seems our nation is clearly divided, and that will most likely not change any time soon.

The issues and personalities that have given platform and voice to this division have not suddenly arisen. Certainly there have been wide variances of perspective and political practice in our nation's history, producing contentious division that lasted well beyond inauguration day. I don't remember a time, however, when this contention has so permeated the conversations, friendships, and ongoing relationships of neighbors, co-workers, and family members. Passions run high on both sides of this political divide, creating among other things, a lack of respect for those whose opinions differ from our own. The challenge before us as a nation then, seems to be, "How do we move forward?".   

Considering the enormity of the challenge, perhaps we find encouragement not in the task of transforming an entire nation, but recognizing our role in making a difference right where we live. That, I believe begins with respect and prayer. The apostle Paul, writing in I Timothy 2, says, "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live." (I Timothy 2:1-3, The Message)  Paul doesn't mention being in agreement with these people we are to pray for, even rulers. He does, however, communicate something that I believe has particular relevance for us today as we think about those who lead our nation. Again, he writes, "Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well..."  I would hope that those elected to these vital tasks of governance, would want what young Solomon asked for when given the opportunity to claim any gift for himself as he began his rule. In I Kings 3, the Lord comes to him in a dream to ask what gift he might want to rule over his people. He could have claimed great wealth, but he did not. He could have claimed great influence, but he did not. He could have asked for mighty military power, but he did not. He said, "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people."

Wisdom is a gift of God that moves human hearts and minds to meaningful action. Through two administrations during my tenure at Westwood, I have publicly prayed for the leaders of our nation, asking God to give wisdom for the enormous responsibilities they carry in seeking to govern. I will continue to do so as a new administration begins and I encourage you to do the same. Regardless of your perspective, party affiliation, or particular ideology, I ask that we be faithful in obedience to God's word, faithful in respecting others even when we disagree, and faithful in prayer for each other and for the leaders of our nation. To do so doesn't mean your voice must be silent when you disagree, nor does it mean that you must follow in lock-step conformity without thinking and making decisions on your own. It does, however, mean that in uncertain times, your will trust God to be at work, even through the flawed exercise of human government.  

"Pray every way you know how for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well..." Amen.

Jim Abernathy

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