Much ado about
politics today. I voted, and I hope you did also. And I hope our
politicians will make good decisions that will move our nation
forward in ways that enhance our quality of life. I pray for them—I
really do. Whether I like and agree with them or not. Especially if
not!
But I don't see the
answer to our basic problems in politics. Politics is more like a
barometer of what's going on in a nation than a determiner of it.
There is no political system that can cure the ailments of the human
heart. And it is from the heart that all our problems come. The only
solution is the conversion of the human heart—the transformation
and renewal of the mind that comes with embracing Jesus Christ as the
Messiah, receiving the seed of His Holy Spirit within us, nurturing
that seed so that it grows into compassion, kindness, patience,
discernment of truth, courage, self-restraint, civility, and a
sincere desire and willingness to sacrifice for the common good.
These traits displace baser qualities: selfishness, greed, hostility,
judgmentalism, lust for power, demagogy, hatred, apathy, and a
general spiritual blindness that cannot discern truth from deception.
The basic, simple,
yet profound admonitions of Christ to recognize only one God, to love
Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others
as we love our selves—even to love our enemies—this is the
solution to the problems faced by politicians and all people of the
earth. To sincerely practice this Way of Love: recognizing that God
is Love, practicing this Love in our daily living, keeping
peace within our selves—the peace that comes from faith in the God
of eternity Who Loves us and is working all things together for good;
not fearing evil nor being intimidated by it; speaking the Truth of
Christ, even if it is offensive to some, but never being deliberately
offensive; staying free from the attachments of this world, but
always caring for those who are lost in it; keeping our hearts open
to Christ so that His Holy Spirit can be manifesting through us into
this world; bringing His Light into the affairs of man, but not
getting lost in those affairs; praying for wisdom regarding how best
to use our resources and gifts to further the Kingdom of God; this is
how we “overcome the world”. This is how we solve the world's
problems. It is a very personal endeavor. And every day we
walk in victory, light, peace and love. Every day we overcome
the problems of the world—every moment! We don't have to wait til
the next election; nor should we put too much stock in this one. It is so easy for us to forget that the solution to our problems is not in Washington: it is in our own hearts.
Mark Graham
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