me, Me, ME

Help, Lord! For God-like men are here no more. The faithful can no longer be seen among the sons of men. They lie to each other. Their lips speak with sweet-sounding words that are not true. May the Lord cut off all lips of false respect, and the tongue that speaks of great things. They say, “We can win with our tongues. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?”

(Psalm 2:1-4)

When I read this passage this morning, it gave me a moment of pause as it seemed so appropriate for the present 'election season' we are in. It seems like there is lots of 'lip speaking' and 'sweet-sounding words', but how much of what is said will actually prove to be true? There is either 'truth', 'lies', or 'something in between' in these election speeches, right? Never forget that lies are often masked with just enough truth to make them believable! It is time to test character - what has the person shown as his or her values - not in word, but in deed? What actions reveal the true character of the one standing at that podium, beckoning us to vote for them right now? It seems to me they spend a lot of time criticizing each other so that the spot light cannot get too close to their own 'back yard', if you know what I mean. God isn't fooled by their words, though, so we have to rely upon him to help us sort out the truth from the lies in the 'me, Me, ME' campaigning that goes on.

God-like men are here no more. Does that sound at all like how you may be feeling this election year? To be transparent here, I don't know if there is a really 'good candidate' for the presidency! It seems like our highest office of the land has become a position sought after by those who throw mud, work to intimidate people, talk circles around themselves, and make very little sense at times. So many will side with one or the other candidate, but where is this all heading? As I was driving home this week from running errands with a friend, I was turned away from my regular route. We waited for an extremely long time to be detoured into her place of residence. Why? For the third week in a row there were protesters gathering at the main corner next to our local civic plaza. They were protesting and probably doing a little 'campaigning' at the same time. Large signs proclaimed who we should vote for as these protesters littered the sidewalks, crossed the streets, and displayed their banners.

Why is it we find the only means to 'change our world' right now is that of needing to 'protest'? Perhaps it is because we haven't been able to make out the truth from the lie at times when all we hear is "me, Me, ME". Maybe it is that we don't see evidence of words matching up to policy at other times. Could it be that we believe change is necessary, but we don't really know which 'me' is going to bring about that much needed change? I think it could be all of the above. I just don't like that the 'means' by which we 'cry out' is through protest. I think God may have a different 'means' in mind for us - prayer, fasting, and seeking him once again. 2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us - "If my people, who are called by my name put away their pride and pray, and look for my face, and turn from their sinful ways, then I will hear from heaven...I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Pride isn't going to get us there - prayer will. Show up, but do it in the right spirit - with God at the center of your thoughts, in control of your heart, and overseeing the sweetness of your spirit. Just sayin!