Life + Faith

WWJD

Perhaps it’s just the drama speaking, but it seems as though the United States of America becomes more politically polarized every day. Every. Day. Those is added in front of political terms and labels, creating what have become the most degrading and derogatory of names. Tongues ablaze with venom, spewing words ready to tear down and destroy.

Winning issues, seats and elections seem to be more important than the people these issues, seats and elections are meant to serve. Perhaps our leaders have accepted the mindset found in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale: “Better never means better for everyone…It always means worse, for some.”

And, it’s not just one side or the other. It’s both.

While one side is gloating over a so-called “win,” the other side is planning its next attack to regain control with their next move. I have actually seen tweets and quotes where people are condemning those in the opposing party to a “very special place in hell.”

Whoa! Surely we can all admit that things are getting out of hand, have gone too far. Heaven help us when we become so audacious that we think we have the deciding vote on the eternal after of the souls of others. Heaven help us all.

Honestly, I think most of us sit somewhere between the 40s. The 50 yard line is the center of a football field, and most of us lean a bit to the left or to the right, but we still have the ability to see the other side. Willing to find common ground and compromise. The further away from the 50 yard line one gets, however, the harder the chasm of compromise becomes to forge.

The problem, as I see it, is that our leaders are often the loudest extremes of all, and they definitely hold the power while they “serve” their respective terms and positions. Maybe they feel the need to distinguish themselves with such extremes to remove all doubt about their affiliation.

The extremes seem single minded, unbending and, quite frankly, ridiculous.

So, I often have to take a breath when I hear mention of politics. I can do without the shouting and finger pointing.

WWJD? Remember those bracelets from the early 2000s? Reminding us, when making decisions, to consider: What Would Jesus Do? The answer to that question is always another question: what did Jesus actually do while he was flesh and blood upon this earth?

And, while we’re on the subject of politics, I do not think that Jesus would be a liberal or a conservative in today’s America. I think he would shock and amaze all of us by his radical love. Because that’s what he always did.

He provides our perfect model. He considered people above everything:

  • popularity
  • the bottom line
  • getting votes
  • winning arguments
  • following the rules of the “righteous”

He never felt the need to manipulate or convince. He had those who followed after him, and those who didn’t. And, in his dying breath he spoke of love for them all, us all.

He didn’t need an earthy title or fanfare; he is the Son of God, the Messiah. He led and loved and served selflessly, perfectly. Sinlessly.

We are far from perfect, and should never even claim such nonsense, but surely we can do a better job of representing Jesus. Really, though, it’s not only that we can do better, it’s that we should, we must.

And while we cannot control how our leaders act, we can control our own reactions. We can hold our tongues, we can listen more and join arms with those who are hurting. Even when we disagree, we can be examples of extravagant, radical, even reckless love.

May we never underestimate the influence of the seemingly small.

We can model the good behaviors that so many of our leaders seem to have abandoned long ago. Love is powerful, and might even be the force that calls our leaders to listen, consider and compromise.

Love is our distinguishing quality, after all.

Love removes the need to even wonder WWJD.

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