Wednesday, July 26th, 2017

Almost like a football team breaking from a huddle, after the Senate vote to continue debate on health care yesterday, we saw senators from both the Democratic and Republican party head for the nearest news camera to argue their case for their vote. With the onerous task of healthcare reform looming, it is easy to squabble over the means to our shared end goal: a fair and comprehensive system that reaches the most people for the long-term. Both parties believe that their solution is best, however, when was the last time we paused to seek God’s input on the issue? While both parties attempt to speak for their constituents, they do not speak for God. Can you imagine, when we die and are standing outside the pearly gates of Heaven, being asked, “So, were you a Democrat or a Republican?” Of course not! What matters at that point, standing outside Heaven’s gates, is not who you voted for or which party you supported. The only things that matters are 1.) Did you know Jesus? And 2.) What did you do with Him in your time on earth? With partisan rancor at a record high in our country, to find peace it is essential that we step back from the fray and climb above. In Matthew, Jesus proclaimed his eight Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. The 7th Beatitude is “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Finding peace requires overcoming differences. Therefore, to be a son of God requires loving even when it is difficult. Pray today for our leaders, and that we may receive a spirit of peace from God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." – Matthew 5:9