Country singer Dierks Bentley has a song titled "What Was I Thinkin'?" referring to ill-advised choices
that put him in harm's way. After each thoughtless action, he raises the
question, "What Was I Thinkin'?
On the surface, Bentley is just poking fun at some of his follies but his question
invites further evaluation of our own actions. In fact, this inquiry is instructive
for all of us, opening the possibility of repentance, especially in the wake of
this election season.
As I have listened to and observed Christians on all sides of the
political spectrum use language and taking actions laced with divisiveness, hatred,
prejudice, misogyny, nationalism, and other dismissive measures all in the name
of Jesus, their political affinity and/or candidate, I wonder “What Are We Thinkin’?”
When did Jesus call His disciples to embrace the folly that coincides
with the political processes of local and national government? When did Jesus encourage His disciples to
engage in acts of hatred toward His adversaries? When did Jesus instruct His
disciples to conform to the political practices of one’s chosen party? When did
Jesus demonstrate placing political allegiance and agendas above the Great Commandment – “You must love God with all
your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. . .You must love your neighbor as
yourself”?
“What Are We Thinkin’?”
While politics has its place and it is important that we invest in the
political process, we would do well to remember that our first responsibility,
as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, is to Love. Think about some of the derogatory comments you have heard,
you have thought, perhaps even those you may have said during this political season
and ask were they grounded in love of God
and neighbor?
Consider this, Jesus in the aftermath of the most vicious politically
charged election (Matthew 27:17, “Pilate said to them, which one do you want
me to release to you – Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”) - filled
with Love says from the Cross, (the
result of the election), “Father, forgive
them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). In spite of a pernicious
electorate and political process, Jesus continues to respond with Love.
As we reflect on our participation in the political process, we should
remember that Love created the necessity for the Cross
but political strife established the environment for Jesus’ crucifixion. I
imagine today those sisters and brothers from the first century that responded “Crucify him!” to Pilate’s
question, “Then what should I do with
Jesus who is called the Messiah?” (Matthew 27:22) would wonder to
themselves:
“What Was I Thinkin’?”
If we are to remain faithful to Jesus, in season and out of season, Love must be the foundation and basis of
our every response. Jesus says to his
disciples: “By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Christians regardless of political party are
to have Love as our compass in
matters temporal and eternal. If we use the tools of our enemy (the devil) such
as hatred and division, we too must ask:
“What Was I Thinkin’?”
In light of these follies, repentance can be our only response. . .to which
we will experience the Love of Jesus
saying: Father, forgive them!
Much Love,
Pastor Singleton
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