Agape - even (maybe especially) in politics!

Before we begin, I have 2 questions for you:
–What is the name of someone who has made a positive impact in your life?
–What is the name of someone who has made a positive impact in the world?

Did you think of actual people or did you skim the questions? (I ask because I often think questions like these are rhetorical. But seriously, if you haven’t already, I encourage you to pick specific people.)

I rarely get angry. There is too much anger and hatred in the world, and I realize that my anger won’t help. But I do get frustrated. (Which, hello?, is the same thing. Who am I trying to kid?) I’m passionate about creating a better world-–which includes voting for the right people. And when those that I don’t think will do a good job get elected, I get frustrated. They are going to mess up our country and possibly the entire world! But when I step off my high horse, I’m reminded that I don’t actually know that the way I would do things would always be the best way. When I remind myself that that person of the other “party” most likely wants what’s best for our country too (they are just sadly misled-–kidding!), it softens my heart.

Micah 6:8 calls us to be just. When we stand for justice, we think of trying to right a wrong on someone’s behalf, perhaps even our own. But sometimes we think the only way to do that is to get angry, angry enough to do something about an unjust issue or an injustice happening in our society. But what about the rest of the verse? Getting angry over an injustice doesn’t fit in with loving kindness or walking humbly. We can’t pick and choose in this verse. Especially when God calls us to love our neighbor. Anger and frustration go 100% against loving our neighbor. Anger discolors our relationships, our attitude, and eats away at our hope.

Being angry not only makes us and others angry, it also misrepresents Christ. And yes, I’ve heard the story of Jesus overturning the tables in the temple. But first, how many more times did Jesus respond with love instead of anger. And second, we’re not Jesus. His motives are pure, ours our skewed to our personal beliefs and opinions.

What if, instead of being angered by injustice (especially during this political season–spoiler alert: everyone you vote for isn’t going to win), we tried to see the best in others? And if you can’t find anything (dig deep-–it might be hard), then at least pray they are successful in their role in government.

Sidenote: when I was thinking about this devotion and pictured myself praying for success for a candidate I didn’t want to win, my mind immediately thought, “I don’t want them to be successful because then they might get re-elected.” How messed up is that??? I don’t want someone to be successful because they are from a different party or have different beliefs?? That I actually immediately thought it would be better to have someone mess up in office-–our government-–so that another candidate can take their place? I’m embarrassed that was my first thought, and I will be purposefully praying for everyone in office, that they do incredible work for the people of the U.S. and around the world!

Instead of sitting in front of your computer and angrily sharing your opinion about the ineptitude of the winners on social media, what if you decided to keep your thoughts to yourself until your emotions settled? Once settled, find ways you can personally fight injustice in positive ways. On social media, post words of encouragement & love.

So many people think you need to be angry to do something about an injustice. Why? Why can’t you be motivated enough to do something without anger? I recently read this by Mallory Mishler:

“Love, unlike anger, will never burn out. It lights a softer fire in my soul that still urges me to fight but gives me something good to fight for. There are too many angry people in the world already–what the world needs are individuals who love well. Something as simple as that could transform the entire globe.”

Remember those names you said when you started this devotion? How did they impact you and the world? Did they do it through anger or did they do it through love?