I used to be an active collector of quotes. This series of devotions will be based on some of my favorites.
There are two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done."
C.S. Lewis
The Great Divorce
Today is election day in the U.S. The electoral system is a means to attempt to measure "the will of the people." It is also a time when politicians attempt to mold the collective will of their constituants into something resembling their own political agenda. C.S. Lewis makes the point that each of us can either seek the Reign of God or else be trapped in whatever we have chosen for ourselves. God's Reign stands outside of the labels of conservative, liberal, progressive, or moderate. It calls is to not pay ultimate allegience to any party, any political idiology, any govenment or any country. We cannot confuse any cause, no matter how good it may be, with the Reign of God.
Connection: It is easy to choose our will instead of the will of God. Our struggle is to first comprehend what the will of God is and then secondly, to choose it for ourselves. Recognizing the will of God is difficult. But in the landscape of competing messages, philosophies, and political agendas, the Gospel becomes our best means to make that choice. Ultimately, of course, we find that no party or poltical movement can pass the test. None have room for a God who takes on weakness, humiliation, and death. In short, none have room for the cross.
Regardless of election Tuesday's outcome, our faith must remain in Good Friday and in the God who was crucified by the will of humankind. In our elections, there are vital choices to be made. The consequences of those choices are very real. Participation in the political process is important, but our faith must remain on that which stands outside of all politics and all human will.
Prayer: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The Great Divorce
Today is election day in the U.S. The electoral system is a means to attempt to measure "the will of the people." It is also a time when politicians attempt to mold the collective will of their constituants into something resembling their own political agenda. C.S. Lewis makes the point that each of us can either seek the Reign of God or else be trapped in whatever we have chosen for ourselves. God's Reign stands outside of the labels of conservative, liberal, progressive, or moderate. It calls is to not pay ultimate allegience to any party, any political idiology, any govenment or any country. We cannot confuse any cause, no matter how good it may be, with the Reign of God.
Connection: It is easy to choose our will instead of the will of God. Our struggle is to first comprehend what the will of God is and then secondly, to choose it for ourselves. Recognizing the will of God is difficult. But in the landscape of competing messages, philosophies, and political agendas, the Gospel becomes our best means to make that choice. Ultimately, of course, we find that no party or poltical movement can pass the test. None have room for a God who takes on weakness, humiliation, and death. In short, none have room for the cross.
Regardless of election Tuesday's outcome, our faith must remain in Good Friday and in the God who was crucified by the will of humankind. In our elections, there are vital choices to be made. The consequences of those choices are very real. Participation in the political process is important, but our faith must remain on that which stands outside of all politics and all human will.
Prayer: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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