For the first presidential election in my adulthood, I have felt the freedom - indeed, the urgency - to carefully examine both candidates and decide who to vote for. As I've discussed the choices with many people, I have heard some very pointed, poisonous attacks about Barack Obama.
A quick survey of my email reveals these types of comments:
Watch this video of Obama making fun of the Bible
Dr. James Dobson is praying that the Obama speech [at the Democratic convention held in an outdoor stadium] is rained out.
Read Mrs. Obama's college thesis (scary stuff)
Now, I am not here to address such attacks because Lithos is not the place to such a thing. But I am deeply saddened as I watch fellow brothers and sisters in Christ spread fear and lies about a presidential nominee.
Most of it does not strike me as, well, very Christlike.
And here is what I realized talking on the phone with my mom tonight. John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Association of Churches, often said this: "Everyone is someone's fool, whose fool are you?"
I've been a fool for the Republican party. I've been a fool for George W. Bush (twice). And this year I have been very tempted to be a fool for Barack Obama.
But tonight I have rejected that whole paradigm.
I only want to be a fool for Jesus Christ, the Jewish carpenter from Nazareth. I want His bumper sticker on my car, His pin on my lapel, His grace, love, and truth in my heart. I don't want to trade one fallible, fallen president for another - I want to serve the President "who was, who is, and who is to come."
I want to reject a politics that says I must attack or disdain those I disagree with. I want to pray for my enemies and those who oppose me. I want to trust that God is in charge of all the earth and has sovereignly chosen already the President of the United States for the next four years.
This does not mean that I am abandoning my love of all things political. Or turning off Hardball, Countdown, The Situation Room, or AC360. Or that I am staying home of Election Day. But it does mean that I will pray for the grace and wisdom to approach these activities and my opinions differently, more like my King would.
And I hope for the sake of the cross and the credibility of the church, more of my brothers and sisters will decide whose fool they are this contentious election year - and choose the radical carpenter peasant with the wounds forever in His loving hands.
