As I was chatting to some people recently, our conversation turned to the articles I write for the village magazines. It was kind of them to say that they look forward to reading what I write each month. I don’t receive much feedback, so this was very encouraging. We all like to hear that something we have done is good, don’t we?
A few years ago, I had an interesting feedback experience. One month, I was criticised for writing about what I had considered to be a matter of local interest (instead of any number of things happening on the global stage that apparently warranted comment). Around the same time, having written a piece about shenanigans at Westminster, I received a complaint (from someone else) which suggested that readers of the parish magazines don’t want to read such things – they wish to receive news and information about local matters! I’ve long known that I can’t please all the people all the time!
When it comes to matters political, I am always cautious. And I suspect I am frequently misunderstood. I remember one sermon where I said something slightly negative about Theresa May, who was the Prime Minister at the time. Someone who had never hidden their own political leanings (Conservative) took issue with me after the service, saying, with some disappointment, “I know how you vote.” I reminded that person that I had passed similar criticism about the behaviour of the leader of the opposition some years previously when they were making headlines, but my argument was not persuasive – I was a leftie and that was all there was to it! In truth, I know better than to parade my politics in public, precisely because doing so would risk alienating a significant fraction of the people I serve (in this case, a politically neutral comment was divisive enough!).
However, sometimes silence is not an option. In his own ministry, Jesus spoke frequently about the “Kingdom of God.” Where our politicians introduce policies that run counter to the values of God’s Kingdom, or where their behaviour and language reveal hearts that are not beating in time with God’s, you can expect me to have questions or even to long for “regime change” – no matter what colour their logo is. This is not me being a “Centrist Dad.” Rather, it is me seeking to bring the politics of God’s Kingdom to bear in our kingdom because I genuinely believe God’s values are there for our flourishing.
I am sure that many enter politics with noble aims. I am equally sure that there are countless ways that those same people can be corrupted. Join me in praying for them as they seek to serve us. Join me in writing to them to encourage them when they’ve done something good. And join me in holding them accountable through the ballot box.
May you know the peace of the kingdom of God.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay