If I Had Three (Or More) Wishes

The political season is upon us. Two parties who want to shape the future of America, but each in their own way, have ramped up the rhetoric. Then, sadly a young man attempted to assassinate the former president last Sunday. Since then, the nation has been abuzz! Everyone is talking. Social media has exploded. Everyone is sharing their opinions. Some are angry. Some are re-energized. Some wish the assassin had a better aim, while others seek retaliation.

Because I have very little interest in politics, maybe it helps to keep me from the fray. But as I stood from a distance this past week, I had these thoughts.

• I wish more Christians would be as vocal about their Christianity as their politics.
• I wish Christians who have the zeal to go door-to-door, campaigning for their political party, would have the zeal to go door-to-door, telling people about Jesus.
• I wish more Christians would be willing to defend the doctrine of Christ like they defend their political platform and candidate.
• I wish more Christians were as committed to going to worship as they are going to vote.
• I wish more Christians would show more interest in heaven than they do in their nation.
• I wish more Christians would realize their heavenly citizenship is far more important than their citizenship in the United States.
• I wish more Christians would be more upset by someone committing sin than they are with someone who didn’t vote.

In a congregation not far from where I preach, a brother in Christ dismissed the congregation where he worshiped with a prayer and closed the prayer by asking his favorite politician to “save us.” Brethren, to ask for a politician to “save us” while speaking to the God of this universe is a demonstration of how some Christians have been blinded by politics!

Let’s keep our heads (2 Timothy 4:5). Let’s mind our manners (Matthew 7:12). Let’s remember where our citizenship is (Philippians 3:20). Let’s pray for our leaders to the end that we may be able to live a quiet and peaceful life (1 Timothy 2:1-2). And remember, we can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).