Politics as life

  The old man got up from his chair and answered the door. The man he knew, but the woman he didn't. Joseph spoke first and said, we are caught out in this storm, this is my friend... A friend of yours is a friend of mine the old man interrupted, Come in brother and sister, you look cold, go and warm yourself by the fire. You look weary from your journey, come in, you'll dine with me and stay the night, it is too cold and rainy night outside. 

  Does the little story above seem dated to you, one that for those of you of the faith must think, Surely, that scene is a biblical one, and certainly not of today. Surely, this is not a tale from today. The sad reality is that you would be correct, and in today's toxic environment, nothing like this could take place. It should they'd say, but it doesn't. Right again. 

  Today, the constant pressure of politics we as believers see clearly in the outside world, but not among God's people. Funny, but two rights don't make a wrong necessary. But what the church should be, and what it is becoming, show that the stench of politics and the gains we see in them has infected the church too. Certainly, a governing body of some sort is necessary, and so there is that need for order. But far too often, even in the non logistical needs of the church, the Pastors, their assistants, deacons, and so on, also obviously, are needed, but often have personal goals. Hopefully, those placed in the positions of teaching the flock are concerned only in pleasing God first and foremost, which thankfully, most everyone of them would say that that is their desire. But more often by the day, it seems like other reasons also are becoming subject to the politics of the church. Interestingly, it is always the people who have been in a church and reading scripture longest, who feel the need to strive for a title of sorts, be it of any description. From the pastor on down, some get so caught up in labels and titles, that they lose sight of the fact that they are meant to serve. A title of any sort doesn't define a person. Think about it, even in the world, where they worship the letters attached before or after a man's name as something that sets them apart, and therefore to be listened to, because obviously, they are smarter. Certainly that is true to a larger extent, but I have run into quite a few who seem to have alphabets attached to their names, but in reality, are dumb as posts. 

  Hopefully the point is obvious to you. The stench of politics, and the envy and other problems that the outside world encounters because of political disfunction, are expected in the world, but have no place in the church. Serve the Lord wherever he places you, and strive for nothing, other than to follow his lead.