In 1959, more innocent days, the Kingston Trio sang The Merry Minuet: “The whole world is festering with unhappy souls, the French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles, Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch, and I don’t like anybody very much.”
In 2024, we don’t have to go that far afield for animosity. Americans hate Americans.
During the frigid and already dark month of January, my dread of the 2024 election cycle shifted into overdrive. I despise our political divisions in these supposedly United States of America. I’m a committed patriot, a responsible citizen, as well as a committed and responsible Christian.
Marion Aldridge
For the last several years, I’ve not been happy with the forced hostility of our electoral process, turning neighbors into enemies, churches into battlegrounds, splitting congregations.
Negative political advertising on television is almost constant and often nasty, and the year has just begun. Help! What can I do? What can we do to keep our sanity?
Twelve step groups remind us that sometimes we are powerless over much of what transpires in the world around us. We can’t fix someone else’s alcoholism, for instance. We can’t avoid all surprises in our household maintenance — broken washing machines, leaking roofs, squirrels in the attic. I’m speaking from experience.
However, I think of myself as a practical problem-solver. I don’t like having absolutely no control.
“I’ve read in several places that God comes to us disguised as life.”
I’ve read in several places that God comes to us disguised as life. Whatever faith I have is lived out in the way the world is, not in the way I want it to be. What can I do, as a Christian citizen, and what should I avoid, during the coming year that promises to be chaotic and stress producing?
In many ways, the Bible is not particularly helpful with modern American political decisions. Two-thirds of the Bible is the story of God turning a wandering tribe of nomads into a powerful nation called, at different times, Canaan, the Promised Land, Judah/Israel or Israel. It’s a story of nation-building, skirmishes and wars, internally and externally. The Bible gives us an amazingly lengthy and complex record of parts of the process.
The common folk of Israel sometimes doubted Jehovah/Yahweh was on their side. Prophets, priests, judges, heroes, heroines and kings were involved in developing Israel into a nation that considered itself to be God’s chosen people. They helped move the residents of what we call the Holy Land toward a future culminating in a saving Messiah. Some thought this Messiah would be another military king, as David had been. Others weren’t so sure.
Christians in 21st-century America need to acknowledge and understand neither our country, nor our modern geopolitical reality, is the same as the world of the ancient Near East. The United States of America is not and never has been Israel. There is much wisdom and inspiration in the Hebrew Scriptures, but we cannot turn every prophet’s every word into specific political instruction for our nation. We are neither a Jewish nation nor a Christian nation. In our country, we celebrate complete religious freedom. Of course, there are those who wish that weren’t so.
“We cannot turn every prophet’s every word into specific political instruction for our nation.”
The exact words of the First Amendment to our Constitution read, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
The prophet Isaiah wrote: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” Then Jesus picked up on that theme, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Those are words many of us need this year. Like many others, I am “burdened” and already weary of this political season. I am determined to find ways to survive this craziness. Here’s a start:
I’m going to keep Jesus central in my life. Two texts that are crucial in a discussion about God and government are these:
- Jesus said, “Render (give back) to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” That should be plain enough. It’s about more than taxes. Caesar/governments have a certain limited role in our lives, but a far higher power is God Almighty.
- Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.” Not a word about any government or political party. Love God and people. Period.
I’m going to stay active in a church that focuses on Jesus. If that sentence surprises you, not all churches are so focused. Common competitors are budgets, programs, numerical growth, egos, doctrinal legalism, heaven and, nowadays, politics.
I’m going to pray for our elected officials, whether I agree with them or not. As 1 Timothy advises: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
I’m going to pray the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
I’m going to try to stay in touch with the base principles, as I understand them, of people of faith: love, justice, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, self-control, faith, hope and respect.
I’m going to engage in activities that bring joy. This year might be a good year to practice the advice found in Ecclesiastes 8: 15: “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” Surprised at this advice? It’s in the Bible. This might be dancing, baking, going to the theater, visiting art museums, writing, cheering at sporting events, gardening, playing the piano or guitar, watching rom-coms, photography, sewing, running. I like to read and I think of certain favorite authors as “comfort food.” I’ll re-read them this year.
Recently, I heard someone ask the question, “What do you do most beautifully?” I’ll try to do that. But don’t be limited by this. In the spirit of being active in hobbies that make you happy, why not try something new: join a choir, keep a journal, take an art class (or any class at the local community college), travel somewhere you’ve never been, eat at a restaurant new to you. Water aerobics is my new go-to exercise.
“Trees, flowers and clouds are apolitical.”
I’m going to spend more time outdoors. God’s creation deserves a category all its own. Sit on the porch. Walk in the woods. Go fishing. Go to the beach. Hike to a waterfall. Visit state and national parks. Take a cruise. Get outside, under the sun or under the stars, anywhere on the good earth God created. Trees, flowers and clouds are apolitical.
This year especially, I’m going to get the sleep I need. Remember to rest, to take naps.
I’m going to put these mantras in my back pocket. Literally. Join me in writing them on a card or on something you carry with you:
- Breathe in. Breathe out.
- Blessed are the peacemakers.
- Detach from toxic people and situations.
- Remember to laugh. (But sarcasm is rarely helpful.)
- I don’t have to go to every fight I’m invited to.
- Every sin, including mine and yours, can be forgiven.
- Happiness is an inside job.
- What can I learn from this?
- I can be right or I can be happy.
- Stay in my lane. (Control what I have the ability to control.)
- Accepting something is not the same as liking it.
- No one ever found serenity with gritted teeth.
- Allow others the dignity of their own journey.
- Everyone is going through something I know nothing about. Be kind.
- Be light in a world that is often dark.
I’m going to vote. That’s not in the Bible, but it’s what a responsible citizen in America should do.
I’m going to watch and read the minimum amount of news to know what’s going on in the world. That should take a maximum of an hour a day, probably much, much less. Turn off the television, especially any biased news channels. Don’t confuse social media with politics.
Remember that, as Christians, we are citizens of God’s realm first, and a citizen on this earth second. I need to pray this prayer regularly, as taught to us by Jesus: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Marion D. Aldridge is a retired pastor who is a writer, speaker and workshop leader. He lives in Columbia, S.C.
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