Post-election advice (November, 2008)

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7

Mennonites used to view “the world” with suspicion. Voting was not encouraged and running for political office was unheard of. We took quite literally Paul’s advice to be “in the world, but not of the world.” (translation: no smoking, no drinking, no dancing, etc., plus no military service).

We took the words of Jesus to heart: “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” Throughout their history, Mennonites viewed the country in which they lived as “Caesar,” whether it was Switzerland, Prussia, Russia or the USA.

On the other hand, folks growing up in mainline churches embraced the culture they were in, and loyalty to country was nearly equal to loyalty to the Kingdom of God. For many, God and country — cross and flag — were fused.

In the spirit of John Wesley, I would encourage us to broaden our thinking on this sensitive area and embrace something of the other point of view, with scripture as our compass.

Those of us who have tended to stand away from our culture and our country might consider public service and working for the good of others. “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile.”

Those of us who have embraced our country and our culture as equal to — or a close second to — Christianity, might consider claiming the word, “exile” — strangers in a foreign land. We might pray that, as Americans, we become a more righteous, just and loving people. We might look at the actions of government through the lense of scripture.

Regardless of how we voted in the past election, I hope that we will seek the welfare of our country and pray on its behalf. The current crises are daunting, to say the least.

Our Agape youth choir sings an anthem, “The Journey Is Our Home,” by Allen Pote. Here are some of the words:

Awake, arise, the journey’s begun. We travel on together as one. We know not where the road will lead, but we move in faith, making love our creed as we follow; the journey is our home.

Exiles in a foreign land. Seek the welfare of the city where you are.