My heart's desire in writing this post is to come from a place of love. It is truly NOT to start a debate and have disagreements over things I say. I simply want to share my heart. So here we go. It's that time of year where politicians begin popping up everywhere - TV, radio, facebook, newspapers, Twitter, and many more places. Then the conversations start. We want to know where the people in our lives stand so we can label them based on their political views. This happens on both sides. We are all guilty. The assumptions that are made based on what political party you vote for run deep and can be hurtful at times. Some might label me a dreamer when I say the age old question, "Can't we all just get along?" My greatest hearts desire is not simply for political peace. It is so much more then that. I believe that peace without God is not real peace. The God of the Universe that made us and loves us is the answer. No political party can solve our problems.
I was reminded of the Israelites in Bible times that we waiting for a Messiah. They were under Roman rule and wanted out. There were different groups back then and each had their own agenda. They each had their view of what would work. Some just went off into the woods and lived a life away from society. Some wanted to appease the Romans and just play nice. Some thought if they just lived a good enough moral life and kept all the rules things would be ok. Some wanted to take on the Romans and fight for their freedom. Then Jesus comes on the scene. Each of these groups wanted to make Jesus fit into their view of things and when He didn't they hated Him. Do we not do the same thing? We have decided what politician should do to make our country work and when they don't play by our rules we hate them. Jesus came with the message of forgiveness. He turned things upside down and is still asking us to do things differently. May we never forget that He is our answer! He made the world and knows how it works best.
Now because I am a Christian I get labeled as a right wing, conservative Republican. That is not who I am. I am a Jesus girl that loves God and wants His name to be praised. I want to love more then I hate. I want to forgive more then judge. I want to help more then I hurt. I want to know who people are more then just by a label. I want to stand together more then divided. I love this song by Casting Crowns.
"Jesus, Friend Of Sinners"
Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours
Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours
You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet
'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours
May our eyes be open and may we love like Jesus!!
