I read a book by Jim Wallis recently, God's Politics. I have been somewhat uneducated and well, just apathetic towards politics. I decided I should never cast another vote if I have no idea what I am voting for. I enjoyed Jim's book, it exposed me to new ideas and definitely led to much thinking about being a follower of Christ and where my affiliations should lie.
One of the main ideas the book caused me to question is war. I haven't heard it discussed much but the one's ideas of war are just as much a biblical issue as the sanctity of life. I have often wondered how followers of Christ pick and choose which issues to care for or deem as more important than others. This idea of peace has been in the forefront of my mind. Christ calls us to be peacemakers. Many people today, are peacelovers but that only requires you to play the role of observer. To be a peacemaker one must get involved, take risk and actually stand up for something. Christ did not ask us to take the path of least resistance. In a political sense, I hope our nation can become one that is known for it's peacemaking.
I am reminded of a Brave Saint Saturn song written by Reese Roper. Below are the lyrics to Blessed are the Landmines
Blessed are the land-mines Stretched across the desert floor God, bless the hands that formed them Filled their shrapnel hearts with war
May You bless the companies The goose that laid the golden egg May they make a million more Blowing off a million legs
Blessed are the black-tongued ravens
Substituting fear for reason
To hate war is to hate us If you love peace, then you must love treason Beat your plowshares into swords Beat your pulpits, turn your tables
Blessed are the hand-grenades Bless the church who rattles sabers This house, is burning This poison still is worming This temple, will cave in There's nothing here worth saving Nail the gold up to the altar Like Ahab taunts his crew to war Blessed are the shareholders Lack of faith is for the poor Hold your wallets to the sky A temple built to sooth yourself Blessed is the church who tries To help you build blessed wealth
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