I was listening to CNN this week and I heard an interesting conversation about a blog post written by a man named Larry Taunton ttiled "Who would Jesus Vote For"? I was curious, so I went and read the blog and was disappointed to discover that while the title was provocative, the actual blog was largely blather which skirted the entire issue in a flurry of what the author no doubt thought was intelligent discourse. But I couldn't get the question out of my mind, and I feel compelled to attempt to reason an answer based on what I believe.
First, I don't believe Jesus would vote for anyone. The Jesus I grew up learning about would have instead said we did not need to vote for a leader because we already have a supreme leader in heaven. Jesus would have said that if man would simply walk in the light of God, making all decisions based on Gods law, there would be no need for political discourse. Jesus would have said that all politics are a contrivance of man, just another way men attempt to leverage power against each other, and therefore has no role in the life of those who follow the path of righteousness. Having said this though, I believe Jesus would have observed that humans would still feel a need for earthly leadership and would have expected that this person best reflect his teachings.
A leader is followed because that leader inspires those around them to work together for a better life. Politics occur because we cannot agree on what a better life looks like. If we can't agree on what a better life looks like, it can only be because we are not using the same criteria to measure the success or failure of life. In other words, either you seek Gods wisdom or you don't.
The Tao points out that any over determined behavior is often an example of the opposite of itself. The man, like Rick Santorum, who strives to convince you how righteous he is, clearly seeks power, which means he is truly in no way righteous, but instead clearly a deceiver blaspheming the name of God. Jesus told us all when he regularly reminded his own disciples that those who make a public display of being holy are in fact in greater peril of never entering the kingdom of God. This is because publicly seeking to be recognized as righteous is itself a show of arrogance and pride, and such a prideful person will ultimately only serve himself.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying no one should seek leadership and that no one should participate in choosing a leader. But in a world that truly reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles of the Tao, the best leader is one who, like Jesus, leads by example. That leader is the best to vote for because it is clear by their actions that what is best for the people as established by the will of God is what they seek. As the Tao teaches us, the best leader leads in such a way that it is not even obvious that you are being led. The best leadership is that which involves us all in achieving progress and when goals are reached it almost seems as if it happened naturally without difficulty or pain. A true leader nurtures and informs, because a true leaders goal is not to achieve personal success but sees their success as being reflected by the success of those who seek their leadership
No leader who represents the will of God as taught by Jesus would ever favor military action of any type. That leader would never oppose whatever action was necessary to insure that everyone in our society had a warm place to sleep, food to eat and access to quality health care. No leader who could get the support of Jesus would ever favor allowing an eclectic few to get rich by exploiting the natural resources which God provided to us all. And Jesus would never, ever support any person who goes around telling us how righteous they are. Can you imagine Jesus saying that we need to put more money into the pockets of the wealthy so they can create jobs? This from the person who said it would be easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven?
True leadership is like water, it flows easily, moving downhill from high places and filling all low places. It is flexible and is able to adjust to fit wherever it goes and brings life to everything simply by being. It nurtures and invigorates, cleanses and refreshes. It is like truth, powerful in its simplicity.
This is the eternal Tao, the way of God.
First, I don't believe Jesus would vote for anyone. The Jesus I grew up learning about would have instead said we did not need to vote for a leader because we already have a supreme leader in heaven. Jesus would have said that if man would simply walk in the light of God, making all decisions based on Gods law, there would be no need for political discourse. Jesus would have said that all politics are a contrivance of man, just another way men attempt to leverage power against each other, and therefore has no role in the life of those who follow the path of righteousness. Having said this though, I believe Jesus would have observed that humans would still feel a need for earthly leadership and would have expected that this person best reflect his teachings.
A leader is followed because that leader inspires those around them to work together for a better life. Politics occur because we cannot agree on what a better life looks like. If we can't agree on what a better life looks like, it can only be because we are not using the same criteria to measure the success or failure of life. In other words, either you seek Gods wisdom or you don't.
The Tao points out that any over determined behavior is often an example of the opposite of itself. The man, like Rick Santorum, who strives to convince you how righteous he is, clearly seeks power, which means he is truly in no way righteous, but instead clearly a deceiver blaspheming the name of God. Jesus told us all when he regularly reminded his own disciples that those who make a public display of being holy are in fact in greater peril of never entering the kingdom of God. This is because publicly seeking to be recognized as righteous is itself a show of arrogance and pride, and such a prideful person will ultimately only serve himself.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying no one should seek leadership and that no one should participate in choosing a leader. But in a world that truly reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles of the Tao, the best leader is one who, like Jesus, leads by example. That leader is the best to vote for because it is clear by their actions that what is best for the people as established by the will of God is what they seek. As the Tao teaches us, the best leader leads in such a way that it is not even obvious that you are being led. The best leadership is that which involves us all in achieving progress and when goals are reached it almost seems as if it happened naturally without difficulty or pain. A true leader nurtures and informs, because a true leaders goal is not to achieve personal success but sees their success as being reflected by the success of those who seek their leadership
No leader who represents the will of God as taught by Jesus would ever favor military action of any type. That leader would never oppose whatever action was necessary to insure that everyone in our society had a warm place to sleep, food to eat and access to quality health care. No leader who could get the support of Jesus would ever favor allowing an eclectic few to get rich by exploiting the natural resources which God provided to us all. And Jesus would never, ever support any person who goes around telling us how righteous they are. Can you imagine Jesus saying that we need to put more money into the pockets of the wealthy so they can create jobs? This from the person who said it would be easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven?
True leadership is like water, it flows easily, moving downhill from high places and filling all low places. It is flexible and is able to adjust to fit wherever it goes and brings life to everything simply by being. It nurtures and invigorates, cleanses and refreshes. It is like truth, powerful in its simplicity.
This is the eternal Tao, the way of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment