Politics

There is so much swirling around the coming elections. I don’t want to add a bit to the emotional roller coaster. So here is a thought that might help us as we make some pretty important decisions:

There is a sort of “moral equivalency” that has crept into our thinking. We’ve come to believe that one issue is just as weighty as another. Or that one set of issues balances out another. That we are free therefore to pick and choose according to those things which “matter to us.” But as believers, we know that some moral questions are far weightier than others. For example, issues of life and death are far more significant than economic reforms we might like to see.

Jesus speaks about “the weightier matters of the law” (Matt 23:23). Some things are more important than others. The Scripture does not teach a level moral playing field where all issues are the same.

Let’s not give way to the cynicism that says, “There aren’t any real differences.” Let’s also not give way to a naivete that ignores weightier issues because we like other promises being made.

I’ll be honest: I’m not thrilled about all my options when I step into the ballot booth this year. But I have to keep in mind there are simply some non-negotiable issues, and on those I can’t turn a blind eye.

When Time Flies By

Where have the past few weeks gone?

I’m trying to pause, and assess. Take stock. Where did all my time go? What have I been doing? I have to pull out my calendar to even remember.

Oh, that’s right. The first of this month we had a Wild at Heart Boot Camp. Four really incredible days. And utterly exhausting. It takes days to recover. This time almost a week, because the warfare hit hard towards the end, and even more so afterwards. That’s right, now I remember. But three days after the retreat was Stasi and my 25th. A wonderful time, but still there’s the pressure and emotional investment in making it a wonderful time. We went down to Santa Fe for a couple nights. Then a friend’s wedding. Then back to the book, and writing. My son Sam breaks down in his 68 VW we rebuilt, but he’s several states away and I spend a day and a night trying to get him back to college. This past weekend it was take Luke rifle hunting.

No wonder I’m tired.

Sometimes it’s helpful just to pause and ask, “What have I been doing?’ I mean, any one of these events isn’t all that demanding in and of itself, but good grief, the accumulation is practically ridiculous. At least I don’t feel so guilty for not wanting to jump into the pile on my desk today.