How to Take a Stand

As I write this, Virginia is in the middle of a vote that determines whether our congressional districts will be redrawn or if they will remain with the 2021 lines by a bipartisan committee. No matter the outcome, the issue will not be settled today. The Supreme Court has this little states 13 electoral votes and the constitutional parameters of the aforementioned issue.

As a pastor – I sent out a church-wide text to encourage our church family to vote. I have a preference on the issue, but I tactfully tried not to emphasize one side or the other. I just tried to encourage prayer and engagement – basically – VOTE!

Now, I had a few responses. Some let me know of their appreciation for the encouragement. Others desired less political emphasis from a church platform of communication. Basically – swiping right or swiping left – will not make everyone have a copasetic attitude.

So I ponder … How do we take a stand? How do we strive to impact culture without being world in our attempts?

A tag phrase is to “live counter-culturally” and it carries a huge amount of baggage. How far does one go? How is it to look? What if it seems futile? Who decides what part of ‘culture’ is worth to be ‘countered’? What of Christians disagree?

Living Counter-Culturally is more than a passive lifestyle. Amish are examples – I laud their distinctive nature, but I also say it falls short of trying to impact the world’s culture.

Jesus talks of we are to be Salt & Light – and salt is no worth if left on the shelf … light is of no value if covered by a bushel. Matthew 5-8 give practical and powerful ways to live with Christian ethics … living with what would seem like upside-down character in a broken, fallen world.

So I say we show love, we show concern and we are not to remain passive in striving to be Salt & Light.

Ultimately, we can not really make impactful change on our own. We need the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

I support no man, party, or philosophy as the answer to our woes. I follow and trust our Creator as the only answer.

So vote – yes. Get involved – certainly. Take a stand – absolutely. But remain humble and dependent on our Lord. And realize He not only desires – He has called us to be influencers of change.

Whether in the schools, as a banker, driving a truck, working with our local nuclear power plant – or your role as a parent, a student, a friend, a politician – you can be used by our Lord to live ‘counter-culture’ lives.

Want to go deeper? look at the Book of Daniel – or dig in to the Sermon on the Mount.

Lord, make me an instrument of your change.