an article from Relevant Magazine.

LEADING THE CHARGE
by: Cameron Strang

"Let's get this out of the way up front: I'm not a politically motivated person. Which is why I felt a tad out of place meeting with Barack Obama this summer. And talking to John McCain. And doing countless interviews about the faith and shifting political views of our generation.

Yet I have unwittingly found myself thrust into the political arena, a place where people are vehemently passionate about their ideologies and platforms. It's an entire industry built around being right and proving your opponent wrong, and winning at any cost. It's a continual power struggle and - from my humble vantage point - seems a bit flawed.

I'm someone who tries to think independently and objectively, rather than simply follow what the pundits tell me to think. Because of that, I've realized I cannot fully embrace either political party. Both sides of the aisle have some great ideas and goals. But both also have areas where they simply get it wrong.

I know the power of politics and the importance of the process in our world. But I also know that, historically, real, lasting change has started first at the grassroots level long before it was ever legislated. Cultural mindshifts influence Washington, not the other way around.

Many Christians traditionally have voted Republican because of their justifiable conviction to protect the lives of the unborn. Now, many younger Christians are voting Democrat because of their justifiable desire to see our nation, the most prosperous in the world, address the issues of poverty, global aid and the environment.

The problem is, many Christians vote these convictions, but that's largely where their personal involvement in the issues stops. Are the government leaders we vote for meant to do our job for us?

If God has given you a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or to promote peace, or to help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward for the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that - whether or not the President shares your same values.

The Bible reminds us to pray for our leaders, but it also talks about praying for those who persecute us. Though I can't forsee and situation where this would be the case, what if one day every value Christians stand for, even religious freedom itself, was legislatively removed? Christians in China and many other parts of the world face this reality every day. Would it change us?

Dare I say, it might actually spur the Body of Christ here into greater action. Could it be that the loss of religious freedoms would ultimately be the best thing for American Christians because it would cause us to stand on our own feet rather than relying on the government to legislate our faith and values for us?

I've heard that only 5 percent of people who attend church regularly actually serve in any way. I've read that if every Christian in America actually tithed 10 percent of their income, we would have enough financial resources to wipe out global poverty.

There's more power lying dormant in pews around the nation than any government could hope to provide, and that's where our focus should be.

Many Christians want to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I don't hear nearly as many leading the charge on a national adoption movement. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, where are all of those babies going to end up? Christians should be focused on personal action regardless of legislation, not just waiting for the right number of Supreme Court justices to come along.

I'm not saying don't vote. Do. Vote your convictions and let your voice be heard - that's one of the perks of living in a democracy. But don't let politics breed division, or make you see people in a different light.

If you have passion for an issue, rather than judging someone who doesn't share that passion or viewpoint, just go do something about it. Give your life to it. Be the change you want to see.

We need to pray for our leaders and our country, but always remember that our leaders and country do not define us. We are the generation that will shape the direction culture, government and social action will take in the next 50 years. It's not up to Washington, it's up to us - and I say it's time we step up and lead the charge.

But that means with our lives, our finances and our actions every day. Not just November 4."

a time for the leaves to change colors.

each new school year brings change. i know this. however, this semester has been exceptionally difficult. everything is new. nothing is bad, just different. the distance between old friends is heartbreaking. new people are walking into my life. i have new roles to play. new roommates. a new major. etc. etc.

seasons are good. i know this time is growing me and streching me more than i thought possible. but sometimes the stretching hurts.


recently i have developed an obsession with trees and anything related to trees.
roots.
leaves.
branches.
seeds.
you get the idea.

"...he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness,
they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted
for his own glory."

isaiah 61.

i want more than anything inside of me to be like a "great oak" that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

the other morning i was talking to God about what it looks like for me to be like an oak tree. i thought about the analogies between what brings life to a tree and what makes me alive. trees require food, water, light, oxygen, etc. my life, spiritually speaking, requires similar traits, but ultimately i recieve life in various ways from the Lord. and only the Lord.

as i thought about this more, i realized the necessity of the word dependence.

just as that tree is dependent on all of these things to live, i am dependent on the Lord to have life. think about it. a tree cannot live if it is looking to other trees for life. the tree is completely dependent on these sources of food, light, oxygen, etc. otherwise, the tree withers.

whether i am aware of this or not, i am completely dependent on the Lord to live. He gives life. and nothing else can. nothing.


i am especially excited for fall this year. it is a beautiful season.

mal.


p.s. if you think of it, please pray for my back. i have experienced lower back pains since i graduated high school and they have become seemingly worse. i think i will go to the doctor soon, but until then, prayer would be great. :)