Musings

Have you ever had to do something that you really didn’t want to do because you felt that it was wrong? How did you feel when you did it? How much complaining did you do to the person that was making you do it? How did you get yourself to the point where you would go ahead and do what the other person wanted? I’ve reached another point in my life where I have to do something that I don’t want to do, and it’s probably not the last time that it will happen. However, I’m going to do it one more time.

I really want to be considered for the office of President of my state convention, but the whole process is so divisive. We are supposed to be working together, but because anyone who wishes to become the president can just make that announcement and be considered for the position, the constituency will become fragmented and fractured as they are forced to choose sides.

Jesus said, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall” (Luke 11:17, NIV). The ineptitude of the United States Congress over the last two years is a classic example of that statement. Also, the antagonism of the Republican and the Tea parties of America against the popularly elected President, Barack Obama, who is a Democrat have led to national government shutdown and a weakening of our status around the world. The secular procedure of elections has invaded the church in its associational business. The divisiveness of politics has become our way of conducting selection of leaders.

We need to learn the lesson of Israel and what led to its ultimate downfall. Solomon, although he is thought of as the wisest man to ever live, formed alliances with ungodly nations and married women outside the faith of Israel. Because of these acts, God was displeased with Solomon and set about to wrest control of the kingdom from the house of David and divide the nation. While the division did not fully occur during the life of Solomon, it did come to fruition when his son Rehoboam became king. God had raised up an enemy within the court of Solomon named Jeroboam who would become king of ten of the twelve tribes of Israel which would become the nation Israel, while Rehoboam, who rejected the wisdom of God, became the king of one tribe that would become the nation of Judah. The nation was divided because the people were forced to choose between two leaders. This was all because Solomon had formed unholy alliances with human beings.

That is the paradigm in which we will be forced to participate. Alliances have already begun to form as prospective presidential candidates have begun to “campaign” for the office. I don’t want to engage in campaigning because it forces people to divide themselves. Our selection then becomes a popularity contest rather than a providential choice. While I know that I can do the job, this aspect of seeking the office is so distasteful. However, for the sake of at least making myself available to be chosen, I will abdicate to what I don’t want to do one more time.