Not an American-Loving Christian

As the media swirls around us every time we open our phones and wonder what is going to fall apart next, it can be so easy to lose faith, to lose hope. The more political comments I read, the less hope I have — even when it’s people posting things I agree with! I’m constantly brought back to Jesus, and I know, my blog posts might feel a little preachy lately but I can’t deny the call to turn back to God and the truth of His Word when the world is trying to drown it out.

There has been something so heavy on my heart as a Christian Millennial trying to navigate these political waters and really consider where I stand. The shortest way I can say it is I stand with Christ.

We should not put our faith in politics, people, presidents, or even America. My faith is ONLY in the One who died to save the world.

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” Jeremiah 17:7

Jesus did not come for one political party or another. Jesus did not come so that the world could be run by Christians—He came to conquer DEATH for the world. He already did the conquering! When you take the stance that the nation should be fully Christian, do you realize that’s the same stance Christians took so many years ago during the Crusades? They believed that every nation should be politically controlled by Christ-followers. Well, sure, that would make things a lot easier for us who believe! But where is the freedom of religion in that? Where is the free will in that world for those who don’t know Christ?

I won’t go into detail, but this is also the belief the European powers had when they inappropriately took (“discovered”) the land from indigenous tribes here on our own soil. Hear me clearly, I want everyone to know the love and redemptive grace of Jesus, but I don’t believe God wants it forced down people’s throats (because then, don’t you think He would have just forced it on all of us and there would be no debate about our faith?).

I could be wrong, but I missed the Bible verse that says, "Thou shalt rule all nations under My name." Jesus came so we could be saved from our sins, and the greatest commandments were simple. Love God. Love people. Then He left us with a Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20) So that should be our focus, not to make disciples of Republicans or Democrats or even the other forgotten political parties, but disciples of JESUS. The only way to do that is to preach the goodness of the Gospel wherever we are able to.

I can no longer put my faith in things of this world because politics will fail me, but God will never let me down.

Instead of preaching politics, I am choosing to preach the goodness of God. Sharing your political opinion is good because your voice on these policies matters, but what voice is louder in your conversations?

This weekend, we celebrate FREEDOM, and I’m remembering the freedom I have to praise my Savior publicly and daily. I don’t know if this needs more explanation, but I will just clarify that I’m not against politics or America. But I’m not an American-loving Christian. I am a Jesus-loving American (proud to be). It’s all about where we place God in our lives. Country first will let you down. President first will SURELY let you down. God first will always be promise-fulfilling.

And if you serve in the political arena, thank you! God put you there for such a time as this, and I pray you are leaning into His truth before your daily battles.

I am GRATEFUL for the freedom we have in the United States of America, but I have to hold onto the steadfastness of God’s love above all else.

“Oh God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water… Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:1–4

Wherever you’re at with politics these days: ecstatic, disillusioned, confused, angry, encouraged, lost… just know that there is nothing there that can fully satisfy the way God can. When we are called to be steadfast, it is in our faith above all else because when we are steadfast in our faith, then everything we face is a little bit more manageable.

When we remember God’s steadfast love for us and praise His name (above all else), then our “soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food.” (Psalm 61:5)

P.S. If you’re interested in a resource on the theology of the Doctrine of Discovery that the Pope wrote to deem it appropriate to take the American land from the people who already inhabited it back in Columbus’ day, check out Unsettling Truths by Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah. It will rock your world (in the best way).