Our nation watched this past week as we inaugurated our 44th President. The changing of power in a democracy is a wonder for much of the world to watch. No tanks surrounded the White House and soldiers were not deployed to the streets of our capitol because one power was not going to be threatened by the other. Two men, one incoming and one outgoing, enjoyed coffee that morning before the swearing in of a new president.
I was with a group of people this week who work in many places in the world. I heard a woman from Somali give her testimony and story of how she came to Christ. She has lived here in the US for many years. All of her family lives in Somali and she has not seen them for years. They are unable to leave and she is unable to return. I am a little over 40 years old and all of my lifetime that place has been a living hell. We can be glad to be a part of such a great democracy that has given us peace. We pledge allegiance to the flag of our great nation and we hold the principles of freedom dear.
As Christians we have another allegiance, an allegiance that is not in conflict with our nationality, because this allegiance is not pledged to a country, or a state, or a people. This kingdom does not have elections, and there is no transfer of power, for in this kingdom – The Kingdom of God, we have but one King and His kingdom is eternal. Jesus calls us to this kingdom and when we walk in that kingdom we represent His character on the earth and that is the way we bless others.
Now that our new president is in office the business of “politics as usual” will begin. The left and right are already swinging and most of the country is still unengaged in knowing anything about how government works. The average citizen does not know what it really means to be a contributor to their society. Too many Americans have become takers and beneficiaries of government and not contributors and participants in the freedoms our great nation provides. Too many are waiting on a check and not earning a check. Sadly, that is about the way many Christians go through life with one Christian group swinging at the other Christian group. Too many Christians are just content receiving the blessings and are not interested in being a blessing. The majority of all who name the name of Christ do not really understand what it means to be a part of His Kingdom. Jesus calls us to His Kingdom and goes to great lengths to describe it. Jesus, describing what His kingdom is like, used many pictures to help us understand. He said, It is like a sower who went forth to sow, it is like unto a mustard seed, it is like unto leaven, it is like unto a treasure hid in a field, it is like unto a pearl of great price, it is like unto a net cast into the sea, it is like unto a householder. There are some deep and great mysteries about this kingdom you and I are called to follow Jesus into.
We need to look again at what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to walk in His Kingdom. That is the only way we can bless the world and touch the world for God. We will never find true peace and enjoy real freedom in any other government on this earth no matter who or what party is elected. Our prayer “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.
