So if you’re at a dinner party, what are the two topics that most of us always try to steer clear of? Of course, as a pastor, I find myself in the middle of these topics all the time – especially at social events. It’s funny. A lot of times, once people find out I’m a pastor, they either think I’m the faith police and they immediately start apologizing for not going to church. Or, they want to talk about faith. And sometimes not only do they want to talk faith – they even want to talk politics. 

And it’s so interesting. There is an assumption out there that all Christians come down in the same place when it comes to politics. Of course, being the pastor of a church, I know that’s not true. Our church is all over the place. Half are red, half are blue, so we’re purple! It’s actually more complicated than that… some are deep red, some deep blue, and every shade in between. So we’re more like brown – or grey!

But it is tough no matter what these days to have a deep, meaningful conversation around political issues. And when you mix faith in there, it can make for some dangerous waters. It always has.

In Jesus’ day, it was widely believed that when the Messiah came, he would be a political figure.  Messiah literally means king. And while he never aspired to a real political position, he represented an alternative kingdom – the kingdom of God – which was very contrary to Rome. And there is no doubt that his life, ministry, and teaching were intended to have an impact on the culture around him.

All of this raises the question: How do we, as followers of Jesus, engage the culture and politics of our day? 

Over the next several days, I’m going to offer a few thoughts. For today, I leave you with this prayer…

Let us pray: Let us pray: We pray O God, for our country in this election year. In spite of our political differences help us to listen deeply to one another, help us listen deeply to you. Where we disagree with one another – may we do so in a spirit of love. May we, who seek to follow you, be the salt and the levain and the light that reflects your gospel. By the way that we live, by the way that we speak, by the way that we work and play and interact – use our very lives to bring hope and mercy and joy to a world desperately in need. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Today’s message was written by Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

You know, when trouble comes into our lives or when tragedy strikes, we ask, “Where is God?” And the answer is – God is in the same place he was when his son was on the cross. God does not abandon us; God is with us every step of the way. He is with us even closer than our hands and feet. And as we keep moving forward, living one day at a time, trusting in God, and doing the best we can, he moves with us; he brings us through the valley. In the fiftieth chapter of Genesis, this is what Joseph referred to when he said to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20) What had happened was bad, but God brought good out of those terrible events. That is the good news of our faith. God is with us, and nothing, not even death, can separate us from Him. “Lo, I am with you always,” – this is God’s most significant promise, and when we claim that promise, it changes our lives. Now make this day a masterpiece for you are blessed to be a blessing to others. 

Let us pray: God of all time, come into our lives and make us whole. As you entered time in Jesus the Christ, be born in us today and lead us to the light of your love. Be with all those in need of warmth and life and hope. Be with those who grieve. Be with those who are sick. Be with those who are afraid, that they may find themselves held in your strong arms. Lead us to your light, for we pray in the name of the light of the world, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Yesterday we talked about Jonah. Another passage in Jonah really challenges me. Jonah was called to preach to the people of Nineveh. They were a particularly brutal, bloodthirsty lot. But, when they heard Jonah preach, they repented.  

In chapter 3, we read, “When God saw what they did… God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it.” 

God changed his mind. 

Whenever we think we’ve got God nailed down and figured out – whenever we think we know who God is going to condemn or who God is going to save – we need to remember this passage.  God is a God of surprises and a God of Grace. 

 I’ve often heard it said that when I get to heaven I’ll be surprised at who I see there. If I’m honest with myself, I have to imagine there will be some there who will also be surprised to see me!

Let us pray:  O God, you are a God of second chances. And for that, we praise you. We praise you for your mercy, your forgiveness, and for your amazing grace. Help us today to forgive as we have been forgiven. If there are broken relationships in our lives, give us the courage and strength to work for reconciliation when possible.  In all things, help us to trust you, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

I understand that Navajo weavers developed a tradition called the “Spirit-Trail,” as they wove their beautiful blankets. The Spirit Trail is created by the weaver deliberately forming a break in the line of their pattern. This “break” could be as simple as a single contrasting color thread, flowing across the otherwise orderly pattern. This was the artist’s way of letting the weaving breathe and take on a life of its own.

I have also heard that many Amish artisans intentionally leave some small blemish or flaw in their work. In a way, this is a theological statement: Truly only God is perfect. The Navajo Spirit Trail, however, is a “positive flaw.” It celebrates something else: what the human mind tells us is a “mistake” may actually be the opening, the portal, for the Divine to enter our lives in new and unexpected ways.

All of this makes me wonder about the mistakes, imperfections, and flaws in your life and in mine. I wonder if these might not be the openings, the portals for God to enter and to begin to work new life.

Let us pray: Loving and Gracious God, we have over to you again this day our past mistakes, our flaws, and our imperfections. Meet us in those broken places and beginning right there, fill us with your Spirit. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Some time ago, I read a magazine article entitled, “Drifting Toward Hope” by a man named Vinh Chung. As a small child, Chung was a refugee from Vietnam – who set out with his family on a small boat. Somehow they were rescued at sea, and his family was taken in by a Lutheran church in Arkansas.  Life was extremely hard growing up but he worked hard, went to Medical school, and became a doctor. 

In 2002, he returned to Vietnam and was appalled at how his relatives lived in dire poverty. He wrote, “Visiting them was like walking into a parallel universe – the life that would have been mine – had the wind blown our boat in a different direction.

Chung went on to write, “In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said, ‘When someone has been given much, much will be required…”  I used to wonder who Jesus meant because I sure didn’t think it was my family. The way I saw it, we had been given nothing; entrusted with nothing. I hoped that rich and powerful people would read Jesus’s words and take them to heart. 

“But when I went to Vietnam, I finally understood: He meant me. I was the one plucked from the South China Sea. I was the one granted asylum in a nation where education is available to everyone, and prosperity is attainable for anyone. I worked hard to get where I am today, but the humbling truth is that my hard work was possible because of a blessing I did nothing to deserve. And that blessing is something I must pass on, in any way I can.”

When I read this article, I found Chung’s story compelling. Indeed in the words of Genesis, we have been blessed to be a blessing to others. And it has been the witness of countless generations that our lives take on great meaning and hope when we find ways to give back.

Let us pray: Generous God, you have blessed us in ways great and small. Open our eyes to see the many ways in which we might share from our abundance; through Jesus Christ. Amen.