Twitter is overloaded. Facebook posts are going wild. Many celebrating, many shaking their heads, many say "victory", many say "wait 'til the election", others say this is "right" and others say this is not "USA anymore."
I didn't weigh in my thoughts on the Trayvon Martin case, the scandal at Penn State, Amendment 1 of NC, or any others however, this healthcare issue hits a little too close to the Church so here are some thoughts: We, who profess to be Christians or people of faith, must be careful of our witness and the manner in which we conduct ourselves...personally and in the media (Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, TV Interviews, etc) because there is much more at stake than our individual feelings, interpretations and theological beliefs. We are Ambassadors for a Kingdom that has only been given to us by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ but unfortunately many us talk and act as if we are the keepers of the Kingdom keys and hold the pattern of the clothes of righteousness. I got news folk....you neither have the keys nor the pattern!
The Gospel of Mark tells a story of when the opponents of Jesus were trying to trip him up by finding some issue, some doctrine, some law or some political heresy that he could be accused of that would lead to his arrest and death. So they asked him a question about the role of government in relation to being a follower of God. They wanted to know if it was lawful for them as Pharisees and Herodians to pay taxes to Caesar? But he knew it was a trap so he worded his answer wisely, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." They left his presence marveled.
Perhaps today our focus should not be so much on Obamacare but on us as a community of faith. What led us to this day? Have we, as a Church done all we could do to avoid such government involvement in the lives of our people?
When is the last time you healed the sick? Start a free health clinic in your church.
When is the last time you fed someone that was hungry? Don't debate their work ethic, just feed them. Start a food closet, share garden crops, become a partner with your local food bank, start a summer feeding program for children, or start a Backpack Buddies program during the school year.
Immigration reform? When is the last time you welcomed the stranger in your midst? Do you really know the story they left behind and why they gave all to come to the USA?
Prison reform? When is the last time you talked with an offender or ex-offender? Do you have a prison ministry?
What about victims of crime? Do you know there is a tremendous need for someone to help crime victims recover from their trauma?
Many of the issues that government is having to face today was once the responsibility of the Church and somewhere along the way we gave our Great Commandment away. I say it is time to take it back by not focusing on those around us in what they do or don't do but by focusing on what we, as His Church are suppose to be doing. Until that time, we will be forever stuck in the dungeon of debate while those around us in need will perish.
