Politics

---

I used to be very political back in the day. In high school, I was known as Dawn "The Republican" Brooks. Ever the outspoken activist, I took on such issues as the hole in the ozone layer (it WAS after all, right above a volcano) which earned me the nickname "O3" from my buddy Mike (but he also could have been calling me an airhead... I was never quite sure of his intent there,) and lobbied for the school to start using albacore tuna to save the dolphins. I had vast and myriad interests.

My senior paper for my Western Civ. class was supposed to answer the question "What can be done to solve the poverty/crime situation in this country?" I wrote a long paper about how these things would never cease as long as man is man, and that the only true remedy would be if every man woman and child in this country fell to their knees and accepted Jesus as Lord; something that was one day going to happen, but not until He returned. I summed up by saying that wasn't going to be happening anytime in the foreseeable future, so we would just have to do our best to meet the problem, rather than fix it.

I don't remember what grade I got on that paper...

As I have gotten older, though, and studied a bit of history and scripture, I have found myself becoming more and more apolitical. The way I have come to see it, the world systems and governments are just that-- the World's. That is not to say I don't care about what is going on in this country, and the world at large; I have just reached a point of considering myself truly a stranger and mere sojourner here. Just as we wouldn't like it if foreigners came into our country and started telling us how to live, (ahem,) so I know that what commands and promises I have in Christ cannot be accepted by the world system around me. I am not called to try and shape legislation-- but I am called to pray for the leaders and enemies of this nation, and serve my neighbor, acting as salt and light.

I know that my point of view is not a popular one... especially among most conservative Christians. "What do you mean you don't VOTE??" seems almost tantamount to blasphemy. It seems to me, though, that if we are to separate church and state, I do not expect the government to put their fingers in my worship, and I will not force my worship upon the nation.

I do think about this a lot. I am sorely tempted to vote in this election because I have this fear of "the country going to Hell in a hand-basket." But I feel it is my duty first to God, as an act of faith that He will ensure that all things will work for His glory. I need only trust in Him, and no matter where I find myself—Afghanistan or the good ol' US of A-- I am being what He has called me to be: a minister of reconciliation.

I am not saying that everyone should take my view of things, and I am not trying to convince the reader; just trying to explain where I have come to this point. My views may change, I don't know. But for now, this is my gut instinct based on what I find in scripture; being in the world, not of it; not serving two master's; rendering unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and to God that which is God's; acting as light in the darkness; and being a stranger in a strange land, only passing through on my way Home. It is how I understand my calling from God.

So while I suppose that my politics have subsided in terms of how conservatives and liberals may define it—I certainly would not call myself apathetic. I merely exercise my right this election season NOT to vote. I truly believe my views don't belong in the political arena; Christ indicated that His commands and promises would not be accepted in this world. So why fight a losing battle, when the fight is not against flesh and blood but in the spiritual realm? I am still an activist, but now I have found my fighting posture—on my knees.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE