Dirty Politics

PASSAGE OF THE DAY:
Acts 24 (click the link)


KEY VERSE:
Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs… At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. (Acts 24:22-27, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
Politics can often be a four-letter word in this day and age, especially in the church.  How often does a discussion of politics end up in a fight, disagreement, argument, friendships being torn apart, etc.  More often than anyone likes to admit.

And politicians… phew!  Don’t even get anyone started right?  These days the perception of them is as bad (if not worse) than the perception of lawyers!  (No offense to any politician or lawyer reading this)

Setting aside the rare ones, what’s the main perception of a politician?  Let’s think of some descriptors.  Slimy, liar, scheming, people-pleaser, Mr. Popularity, says anything to get elected.  Right?

So what about back in the days of Acts.  Surely they must have had their “acts” together then.  No pun intended.  Or is it possible that nothing has changed in 2000 years?  Maybe we’ve learned from the mistakes of the past?

I think it’s obvious that no matter when in time, there are “kinks” in the system.

Paul is brought before Felix, the Governor, and he is given the chance to defend himself.  And after actually complimenting the guy, he speaks the truth about his beliefs and his actions at the temple.  He tells Felix that his accusers are all lying and explains why it is a lie.  I just love how Paul states everything so clearly in verses 11-16.

Here he is, in a situation that we can all hope and pray we never end up in, and he remains totally faithful to God through it all.  His trust, hope, respect, love, admiration and faith in God is so apparent in his words to Felix… and all the while he remained respectful toward the governmental authorities who had the power to do whatever they wanted with him. 

I can just imagine Paul standing there, speaking so strongly, yet without raising his voice.  With a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye speaking his beliefs and praises to God… never condemning the men before whom he stood… never stating the obvious about their greed for money and power (Romans 13:5-7; 1 Peter 2:12-14; 1 Peter 3:15-17; Titus 2:6-8). Wow. I think what Paul could see is that God is so much bigger than all of that.

So despite how we feel about our government, politicians, those who hold high offices, etc, how do we talk about them to each other? 

If you watch any amount of TV you can see that the mudslinging is at a high point right now.  If we had the chance to address these people directly how would you approach that? 

I can’t get the image of the Town Hall Meetings they had a few years back out of my mind.  People screaming at the officials at the front of the room.  I understand being upset.  I don’t understand that type of a response. 

Taking politics totally out of it for a moment, how do you respond when people are challenging you?  Not even just in your faith, but in any matter in your life?  Do you speak to them respectfully or let your emotions take over your words?  Does God have control over that part of your life?  Does the goodness and faithfulness of God come pouring out of your lips before (or instead of) all the nasty things you’d rather say back?

I figure that if Paul can stand there and have nothing but amazing things to say about God and faith, then any of us can.  If there’s hope for him, there’s hope for us!!  Praise God for that!


PRAYER:
Lord, we so often fail in living out your Word.  Many times we are a bad example of your Name in our responses to people and situations.  We humbly confess that we cannot be examples of You and our faith without Your constant help and direction.

Please give us the words to say when we need them.  Please give us the presence of mind to represent You well.  We want Your light to shine through us to everyone we meet.  We want people to see in us something different than the rest of the world.

Thank you for being so patient with us.  Thank you for being so gracious in Your love for us.  We love You, Lord, and we want nothing more than to spread your life, love and word to everyone that we meet.


WHO AM I?
Hey!  My name is Kate Sansom, and I honestly can say I have zero interest in politics.  I rarely know what’s going on in that world and am perfectly happy to stay that way.  (I will say, though, that I enjoy getting to hug Paul Workman, our state representative, nearly every week at church.  But that’s just because he’s a nice guy.) J Instead I’d rather watch things like The Food Network.  But then I get hungry.  I can’t win.  But I watch it anyway. When I’m not stuck to the television making myself hungry, I’m usually hanging out with my husband, Tres, playing frisbee with our dog, or out making the big bucks with my Mary Kay business!  I love my life!