If you’re a faithful Real Issues reader, then you’ll notice that I haven’t written much about President Trump and/or the election, but I saw something this past week that both hurt and encouraged me.
During the counting of the votes, I decided to see what some of the most notable generals of the faith were saying. Without mentioning any names, most were against what was going on. Some even laughed as the congregation did the same. And though I know to never speak against our elders, I will say, I don’t think - as the church - we’re supposed to be laughing at the President Elect. To do so would go against the other verses that we Christians use for leaders such as obey those in authority (Romans 13:1), give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7), and not to speak evil of dignitaries (2 Peter 2:10) – of which, I too had to repent. And I might add, to laugh at the President, whether incoming or outgoing, is disrespectful. Whether you choose to or not is up to you, but I’ve decided not to ‘…rejoice when [my] enemy falls.’ I’ve decided that I’m going to make it a point not to ‘…let [my] heart be glad when [President Trump] stumbles (i.e. leaves office).’ (Proverbs 24:17) But in the words of Ms. Benita, “You ain’t heard that from me.” With that being said, this election showed me just how divided the church really is.
One part of the church is laughing at the new President Elect, while others of us are full of glee. Both of us are laughing but for different reasons. One part celebrates the man that was a symbol of terror for us while others of us are glad that his reign of terror has ended. One part never acknowledged our pain, embraced our struggle or wept when we wept while others of us are weeping tears of joy. And now, the man who was once the most powerful man in the world, the man whom the enemy used to exasperate our pain has been defeated and that same part laughs; as if to say, it’s not over. And though they think their laughter represents Psalm 2:4, ‘He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision,’, to me it means much, much more.
It’s as if they’re saying the former Vice President, now President Elect Joe Biden, isn’t going to win. Their laughter sounds as if they’re saying the Trump era isn’t over. That people of color, will forever be inferior. That we will never have or be enough. And though they probably don’t mean, know or intend to say it, to me their laughter says that we’re unintelligent. That we’re stupid enough to believe that we will never stop being marginalized, oppressed, treated like three-fifths of a person, massly incarcerated, and/or killed-at-will. But again, though they may not be laughing directly at us, it certainly feels that way.
The disheartening part about all of this is that while some used their faith for President Trump, others of us used our faith for President-Elect Joe Biden. Those who used their faith for Mr. Trump feel as if their faith failed while others of us saw our faith produce favorable results. While Trump supporters probably believe God didn’t answer their prayers others us feel as if He did. And while some are having to believe for the impossible others of us saw the substance of our faith become a living reality in the form of President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
But even in all that, it’s clear why we, as the church, haven’t gotten much done. It’s because were divided about race. Ironically, when I realized that, I found myself laughing out loud. Only because - as the church - we should know better. The fact that we are DIVIDED ABOUT THE FLESH is mind boggling, to say the least. The fact that we are divided about the color of flesh – which scripture warns us of, is disheartening. Whether it’s sacrificing an animal’s flesh or crucifying our own, this should be the one thing we all can agree. Yet. We. Do. Not. In 2020, with everything we know about prosperity, faith, the fact that we still don't agree about something as simple as the color of our flesh, is again disheartening. Lord, have mercy on us all.
1 Corinthians 12:12 says, ‘For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.’ The sad part about it is that not only are we divided as the church, but we’re divided AS THE BODY. We are the BODY OF CHRIST. Jesus doesn't have a white body and a Black body but one body. And though some have more melanin than others, it's still one body.
Take for example Kentucky State Senator and Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell. Currently one of Mr. McConnell’s hands appears darker than the rest of his body. Though this may be the result of a medical condition, just because one hand is darker than the rest of his body does not mean they are not a part of his white body. Truth be told, he needs that dark hand more than any other part of his body; especially since he's right handed. Yet he tries to hide and not discuss what’s happening which is sorta like what’s going on in the body of Christ. White parts refuse to acknowlege and/or accept that they need their black hands (i.e. brothers and sisters in Christ). So while one hand refuses to embrace and congratulate, others of us have one raised thanking God for the Biden/Harris win. The whole time looking sideways at our brothers and sisters in the Lord because they voted for someone who sought our demise.
How are we going to get through this? I don't know but what I do know is that I'm not going to rejoice these next few months because I don't want God to see me kee keeing and kool-aiding and decide to vote me out of the kingdom of God. Won't you join me?
Pray this with me: Heavenly Father with all the memes and jokes, please help me to not make fun of or disrespect Mr. President. In Jesus' name.
Copyright 2020 © Real Issues Publishing®. All rights reserved.
1 - Wikipedia contributors. "21st century." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 Nov. 2020. Web. 9 Nov. 2020.
Comments