I'm Embarrassed

This blog may generate a few comments and may get the emotions going, but regardless of your political views, I need to say something. First, here is my disclaimer: I consider myself neither Republican nor Democrat (nor am I part of the Tea Party). In fact I don't like titles, labels or affiliating myself with any particular group except to say that I try to be a faithful follower of Jesus. Period.

Now having said that, no doubt a few people will label me as self-righteous, naive, uninformed - but anyway, here's the deal: I received an email this morning from a dear brother in Christ that included this picture:There were other pictures included in my friend's email, but I'll only include this one. It was one of these emails that has made the rounds. You may have already received it. You may have already forwarded it to everyone in your contact list. (Lord, I hope not)

The thing that bothered me the most about this email was the fact that it has been sent and circulated by Christians - Mennonite Christians - who, I thought, "prided" themselves on living out Jesus' Sermon on the Mount which includes the directive to "love your enemies" and "pray for those who persecute you". I am not saying that President Obama is "the enemy", (nor am I saying that he is the savior of the world) but certainly this email I received implies that some people really do not care for him - AT ALL. That's OK. We are free to express those feelings in this country, by my goodness - I would have hoped that my Christian (Mennonite) friends would have been able to rise above this "childish-name-calling, President-bashing, send an email to get everyone else on board" game.

I understand that there are many people (myself included) who do not like or agree with certain political agendas and policies being implemented, but good grief, aren't we supposed to have a different response as Jesus followers? How about:

1 Timothy 2:1-4 - "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

I know some of this administration's policies will most likely affect our standard of living, but Christians are called to live simple, quiet, holy lives being content knowing that God will ALWAYS provide.

Article 23 of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective says, "As Christians we are to respect those in authority and to pray for all people, including those in government...We witness to the nations by being that "city on a hill" which demonstrates the way of Christ".

What saddens me is that it is much easier to make fun of and bash those in authority than it is to pray for them. It saddens me that our "witness" appears to be no different than the rest of the world. Hear me loud and clear: I am not pointing fingers at anyone except at myself and for this, I am embarrassed.