I am not one to mix my politics with my religion. I am a firm believer in the separation of church and state. Christians came to America centuries ago to flee countries where no such separation existed. It is one of the bedrocks of our democracy. So, because of my strong stance on this I often stay out of the political discussion that is so much the fabric of social media today. My blog is one of Biblical and spiritual discourse, not political.
But, our calling as Christians is to rise above politics and be Jesus’ hands and feet to a broken world. Our mandate is to love as He loved, not to create division based on our own personal political stances. Churches are full of people who disagree politically but stand united under “one Lord, one faith, one baptism…” (Ephesians 4:5). Our mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus should not be road blocked by our fear. We are called to love despite the political climate and dare I say, despite executive orders. No matter your political stance as a Christian, our mandate to love supersedes it.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:18-19
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God 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.’” Matthew 22:37-39
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34
As I go about my days trying to fulfill my calling to sow Jesus’ love in the world around me, this is my prayer:
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.”
Prayer of St. Francis
Extraordinary Treasure, Ordinary Girl 