I have taken a lot of hits from people about my vote this presidential election. I have had my faith questioned, my intelligence challenged, and have been stereotyped as “falling prey to the lies of the liberal media.” Because of that, I am looking forward to this election being over.
Truth is, I used to be one of those people who said these very things to people. For me, politics was a generator of hatred and anger against people I never met, nor ever wanted to. I remember watching Donald Rumsfeld’s promised “shock and awe” on the big screen projector at my old church back in 2003 and cheering it on with a soda and popcorn in hand. Today, I am ashamed at myself and the amount of pleasure and entertainment I took from watching bombs fall on people’s homes on the other side of the world. It wouldn’t be until years later that the military would fully disclose the number of innocent families destroyed that night.
I used to tell people that I was for an immigration policy that would involve rounding up all illegals and dumping them in the ocean… I was kidding but such a joke came from a dark place deep in my soul. There was a time when I assumed that all Hispanics in my city were criminals and they owed it to people like me to prove otherwise.
There was a time when the ONLY issue that mattered to me was abortion. Not because I believed in my heart that only God can take a life, but because I could not stand the type of people who were for it… hippies, gays, just sinners in general. Basically, all the people Jesus tells us to love… I know, right? Back then, abortion was purely a political issue for me and not a problem that desperately needed a solution.
Not too long ago in my adult life, I used words like “socialism” and “liberal” like they were 4-letter word insults. I used to genuinely believe that democracy was God’s chosen form of goverment and anything else was evil. Seriously.
But that WAS me. I changed. God changed me.
For me, God breaking my heart meant a change in opinion with regards to American politics. That is not to say that people who have differing opinions from mine now are wrong or somehow not on a journey with Christ… that is just what it meant for me. I know lots of people from the Right, who I respect as people of faith who truly love God.
The opinions I have about politics are just that, opinions. None of them are final and most of them are a work in progress. As humans, we are not justified by how we vote, instead we are saved only by God’s grace and His love for us.
Senator Obama addressed the “abortion issue” during the debate the other night. For most of his response I cringed and argued with my wife. (long story) But at the end of his rehearsed answer, he added this which seemed to me, to be from his heart:
“Abortion is always a tragic situation, and we should try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred … and providing options for adoption and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby. … Nobody is pro-abortion. … We should try to reduce these circumstances.”
Does anyone disagree with that statement? I know that reasonable, cool-headed people on both sides of the abortion debate can agree that given the current state of American politics and legalities, abortion is not going to completely go away any time soon. With that in mind, I pray that a day will come when such people can sit down and work on practical, tangible steps to limit the number of unintended pregnancies and decrease the number of aborted babies.
Up until now, the abortion debate has been so passionate and emotionally charged, that the two opposing sides refuse to speak to each other or an “I’m going to take my ball and go home” policy has been invoked. This will not solve anything and given that abortion is currently legal in the U.S. it certainly won’t bring it to an end.
I know Obama is pro-choice. But this is the first time since I have been interested in politics that a liberal, pro-choice senator seems apologetic and willing to put a somber, spiritual take on abortion… during a presidential debate no less! As Christians who are TRULY pro-life (ONLY God can take a life), we should jump at the opportunity to at least, in the meantime, work with those 4 letter-words (liberals…gasp!) and try to limit the number of abortions taking place. This by no means is ideal and a permanent solution, but at least it is a step in the right direction. If zero is what we are aiming for, and 1.25 million is where we are, than the next logical step is to do what we can to shrink this number.
This post comes from a man whose heart is broken by staggering statistics of death and destruction and who feels helpless to do anything about it.
Looks like you’re living up to your blog title…
Well written, Nicksta.
That “step in the right direction” line has got me thinking.
Well said man.
Good thoughts man.
[...] See original here: One last time [...]
I love your heart, hermano. I disagree with your political stances entirely, but I appreciate how you came to them and the thoughtfulness with which you approach the whole political scene. I wish more people did the same.
Thanks guys!
I understand your frustrations and appreciate your political reformation…if you will… The abortion issue is so emotionally charged! It is such a serious issue yet it often eclipses other pressing issues, almost every election.
And I totally agree with you, “a step in the right direction” is what we need on the issue of abortion. Hopefully, one way or another, the next four, eight, ten years will be that step in the right direction.
Keep workin’ it out…fear and trembling…
~Seth
Dude.. I am giving you a standing ovation here. that was one hell of a post.(pardon the language). I am feelin’ you on every word of that post. This election is probably one of the most emotionally charged on that I can remember… to the point where I had to tell a little fib to a friend becasue i was tired of be constantly bombarded about my politcal choice.
Thanks for a great post Nick.
Dude, we need to get together. Anyone within sdos (that’s six degrees of separation) of rundio, I should be doing whatever it takes to meet.
At any rate, I can only hope to one day be as honest and transparent as you are. Thanks for this post. You are inspiring, my man.
C
Nick, I must say that I was very saddened by your post. I’m glad to read that your view is a work in progress because I feel it is extremely naive. To me your stance on not really taking a stance on the abortion issue amongst others as a Christian is very concerning. Let me preface this by writing that I really believe in God’s sovereignty, and that His man for this time in history will get in on Tuesday, and that ultimately if the Lord wants to spare us for a couple more years He will, or if a time of darkness, and hardship is His plan, that will take place as well (whoever gets in). I’m not really happy about my options regarding this election, and in no way do I think the right can save our country from the downward spirals it’s in. However, as a believer I need to look at the scriptures to direct me on how to think about these issues. What is God’s heart concerning the morality of our country (or lack of it) ? How does the Lord want us to respond to what is being pushed to be made “law” in our country ? How are we to love sinners, and yet stand up for biblical truths that are so precious to the heart of God ? What are key issues and what aren’t. Is our economy and healthcare more important than our morality?
My friend, I understand that this horrible act of abortion is not going to go away overnight, but at the same time, I also believe that we must act on what the Scripture teaches us about these issues. I also heard Obama make those remarks that you quoted but one thing I would like to know is why does he think it’s “tragic”? Because it’s a murder of an innocent human life, or because it’s a “sticky” situation in our polices today ? What does he think is “tragic” about it? If he really believed it was a tragic murder of a human life that God created, than he wouldn’t have been the most radical proponent for abortion in all of congress. And I’m not even going to talk about his support in the Senate to pass the partial birth abortion bill, as he was also one of the leaders to try to vote that in. Sure abortion isn’t going to end right away, but does that mean we are to turn away from this issue, and look at it as a non issue because it’s going to happen anyway, and we want free healthcare ?
How about Obama’s view on homosexual marriage, and homosexual education of our kids ? Nick, I hope you enjoy the idea of your 2nd grader getting read a “fairy tale” in his class about a prince who who was looking for love, but decided to go against his families wishes and find his true love in another prince. They kiss and fall in love and live happily ever after! This book that was read in Mass. this year was “ok” with Obama according to his debate in New Hampshire. He apparently has no problems with that, and will support law to allow this to take place. I have a problem with that Nick. God has set up what marriage is to be. (Gen. 2) It is God who dictates this, and not man who has the ability to redefine this for us. How can you support someone who will see to it and DEMAND that these relationships be tolerated, and taught as perfectly healthy and normal in our society? You my not believe that yourself, but God speaks about those who may not necessarily commit these acts, but “tolerate” them in the last verse of Rom. 1. READ IT. Of course we need to love them and pray that they would repent of their sin, come to Jesus for forgiveness, and walk in newness of life, but nowhere in scripture are we told to sit idle and not stand up for what God calls sin. Loving these “people” that you spoke of that you used to hate does not mean you let them trample what God has set up as holy. I think in some cases the best way to love them is to stand up for truth, and show them how they have erred from God’s way, and how they can return to it. When a culture or a president redefines what God has set up marriage to be, and turns it’s eyes away from simple things that the Lord has called sin, it’s the beginning of the end. Sure heterosexual marriage has a high divorce rate and isn’t anything pure in our day in age, therefore should homosexual marriage by made legal? NO WAY. Two wrongs don’t make a right Nick. The way to fix marriage is to address the issues that are hurting family, not by introducing another wrong of homosexual marriage because of the lie that ” it’ s not doing more damage than a normal marriage”.
Your man wants to do just that, and though as I stated before I’m not really happy about my choices here, I feel I HAVE TO go with a guy who wants to keep what the Bible tells us about marriage as truth, and will fight for that. I have to go with a guy who believes that life starts at conception, and will fight for the unborn, not vote time and time, and time again AGAINST them (regardless if he thinks it’s a tragic situation or not). I cannot go with a man that has thrown these truths by the wayside, and in that, has thrown God by the wayside.
Nick, honestly dude, get on your knees and pray about these issues ! They’re heavy dude, and I know you must know the importance of this matter – but seek what the Lord would want in this situation. BTW, I also think it’s foolish to think that Democracy is “God’s choice”. His choice will be a Theocracy, and will take place when He rules this earth, and the knowledge of the Lord will cover all the earth. But until then, I sure like the option to vote, and have an opinion (in which I can write about here). I wish you could sit down and talk to Richard Wurmbrand about how socialism was for him (founder of Voice of the Martyrs), or some of our brothers and sisters in China sitting in prison right now, or some brothers and sisters in the faith that had to go through WWII. i wish you were able to ask them about why they wouldn’t want our country to become socialist.
I’m praying that you would ask the Lord for a BIBLICAL worldview Nick. Don’t listen to what our media will tell you (one way or another), listen to God’s heart on these issues. Don’t fall into the trap that’s mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:3 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” People are looking at your views here – they are looking at your life bro. I would make sure that your are leading them in the way the Lord would have you to. Peace.
@Carlos – Thanks for stopping by. Any relative of Garbinksi’s is a friend of mine!
I thought about writing a long response to your comment pointing out all the flawed thinking, judgemental rhetoric, and self-righteousness but I decided not to. I am sick of this election bringing out the worst in people and I have no desire to get into a debate that has already been had several times over. To be honest, I stand entirely by my OP and rest assured that my convictions come as the result of a long spiritual journey with God and many hours of prayer and contemplation. Frankly, I am offended by the assumption that I am somehow spiritually immature, naive, or anti-biblical for my views. It is this very type of attitude from Christians that led me away from the political right to begin with and I believe it is this attitude that is reason behind why the pro-life movement has become irrelevant in America and why tomorrow’s election will most likely mark the beginning of the end for Republichristianity.
If I have to hear 1 Tim 4:3 taken out of context and not soundly applied one more time, I might punch myself in the face…
May God bless you and your family.
President Obama not long ago told the American people that he would support policies to reduce abortions( your quote in your post above Nick), but today as he personally signed law to lift the “Global Gag Rule” he is effectively guaranteeing more abortions by funding international groups that promote abortion as a method of population control. Thank you Mr.President. To me, he doesn’t understand the word tragic.
so, you are ready to make a judgement on his entire presidency based on his first two days in office and one, small executive order? That makes sense. While you’re at it, you might want to research what that gag ACTUALLY does. Cheers.
Now, now Nick. I’m not making a judgement call on his entire presidency, just the first two days. I am praying for him, I really am. And I’m praying that the Lord would speak to his heart about some of these issues. BTW, thanks for the post reflecting on our last President. He wasn’t my favorite, and I think he pulled a fast one on the conservative right, but I do agree that he had to deal with a lot, and I wouldn’t want that job.