You are the salt of the earth.” — Matthew 5:13 (NIV)
Election Day is almost here. This current political season has been exhausting and draining for many of us. We have been bombarded with text messages and political commercials. I think we will be happy when the last vote is cast.
For me, this political season has been a time to contemplate the role we play in politics as Christians. As Christians, I feel we are supposed to be politically active as we are called (and this is more than showing up to vote). As United Methodist pastor, Adam Hamilton, shares in his book, Confronting the Controversies, we are called to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world,” to reference the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel. We need to work together to shape culture for the common good. As Rev. Hamilton shares in his book, culture is like wet cement. It will be shaped by something. Church folk should work together to shape culture so people love their neighbors, go the extra mile assisting those in need, reach out to those who are overlooked, and show respect to those they disagree with. We should further speak up for what we believe in and advocate for justice and peace.
Another way to say this is we should let our “religion shape our politics” instead of our politics shape our religion. This is certainly not Christian nationalism, but it is saying that as people of faith we need to make our presence known. Religious teachings can provide a moral base and ethical framework to make decisions that affect many people. It’s critical we educate ourselves on the issues of the day and let our leaders know what we believe. Our Wesleyan heritage and Methodist tradition are helpful here.
Additionally, I think it’s essential we have a tolerance for the religious viewpoints that surround us. Not everyone is going to see God and Jesus the way we do, and we need to understand that. A wide variety of beliefs can challenge us and push us to be our best. It’s not healthy if everyone thinks and feels the same way on the issues of the day. We need to allow compromise to play out. Benjamin Franklin and others who founded our country 250 years ago often spoke about the importance of this quality.
I hope and pray for the day we come together as a nation for a common good. Might the days and weeks following Election Day be a time for each of us to see the impact we can make!
Peace and blessings, Pastor Scott