Shut Up, Get Over Yourselves, and Start Talking

As I have pondered the political process these past few weeks, and as I have struggled to make some sense of my own views and frustrations, one thing has been consistent: our nation's polarization is it's biggest problem. As a committed Christ following citizen, and as a parent trying to hear the heart of a child, it has been frustrating to watch and experience as I myself have gotten caught up in this wave. It has been the struggles closest to me that have made me realize (with the help of a couple of co-authors of a book - "Common Ground" by Cal Thomas and Bob Beckel) that the majority of Christ following voters on both sides of the political divide really have common beliefs and goals: the sanctity of human life, reasonable access to healthcare, equal access to a good education, relief of poverty. But as long as we get swept up in the tide and behave like the polarized politicians representing us, all we accomplish is making a lot of noise, and we do a great deal to tarnish our witness. As long as the unbelievers among us see us going right along with the loudest voices - accusing each other of sympathizing with baby killers or of being greedy, uncompassionate powermongers, they won't be seeing Christ in us. I believe what we really need to do is to be still and know that God is God, to seek and listen to His voice and His Word, and then - as I heard on Grey's Anatomy last night, we and our politicians really need to Shut up, get over ourselves, and start talking to find solutions.