THE PLAYER OR THE GAME

Yesterday’s blog was pretty rambly, upon further review. I could’ve just said, “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” As a Christian who seeks to change the world, I wonder how much of a player I should be and how much of a game-changer I should be. On the one hand, we are called to be shrewd as serpents, and to not be ashamed of the gifts and talents God has given us, even in secular things, but to use them for His glory. On the other hand, we are called to not always play by the world’s rules, and to forsake all things, even the things we are very good at, to be disciples.

So when it comes to the often slimy but potentially impactful world of politics, which is it? Or can it be both? I’m wary of so turning my back on the world that I cloister myself in a life that has no meaningful impact on this world. But I’m leery of so operating in this world that I slowly and subtly become conformed to its values. I have certainly met Christians who I respect who are clueless when it comes to reality, as well as Christians who I respect who are worldly to the point of disobedience.

Ultimately, politics is like all things on this side of glory: under the lordship of Jesus Christ, but influenced by worldly rules that we need to sometimes play by and sometimes stand against. O for wisdom to know the difference, and grace when I fail.