thoughts after listening to the State of the Union

After watching the State of the Union Address tonight, I'm kind of wondering about the philosophies that inform people's ideas of change.  And also slightly annoyed with myself and humans in general--how we so often find it easier to blame someone else for the things that are going wrong, but we sure do love milking the credit for what went right.

Just some thoughts after watching the address. 

Thank God for teachers.  They are heroes. 

Congresswoman Gifford and President Obama's hug was definitely a highlight to the evening.  That woman is a fighter. 

I'm not convinced that changing a tax bracket is going to make things better in this nation.  Forcing the rich to give more to the government  just makes me think of a one word result: "mediocre".  (and I definitely don't fall under the "rich" bracket, so that opinion has nothing to do with trying to protect an empire.  gah politics.  any opinion makes people suspicious of motive, guns drawn).

Just as an example that will probably seem way too simple in a world of so many layers of dysfunctional and complicated problem solving: Sometimes a parent will need to help a child learn to share a toy.  HOWEVER, there is something incredibly powerful and atmosphere changing when finally a child, out of his/her own will, shares that same toy--without being forced.  Generosity that comes from the heart and free will changes things.  So in my opinion, I hope that the wealthy continue being blessed.  Because in that group, there are bound to be those whose hearts are focused on storing their treasures in heaven, not here on earth, and they have a deep generosity and care for others.  Why would we want to take away the chance for that kind of success?  For that kind of influence?

It makes me think about medical doctors (a thought mostly inspired from working on a campaign, surrounded by endless talk about health care reform).  Let's imagine a doctor, Harvard trained, who could work at the best hospitals in the world, bringing in a huge sum of money every year, living in a nice house with a nice car.  But instead, he chooses to use his skills to work among the poor in urban and rural areas.  No one forced him into that lifestyle.  It was a choice.  And because it was a choice, it is powerful.  It catches your attention.  It convicts and inspires you because it's done from the heart.  The incentive has nothing to do with a big paycheck or a comfortable lifestyle.

But is it wrong that there is a doctor who feels that his place is in a nice hospital with rich patients?  No way.  He may be able to influence and heal those patients in a way that the one who felt his place was among the poor (in an "economic" sense) couldn't.  We look too often on surface things, making estimates and judgments about people based on very little understanding.  

  Comparison runs deep, motivating legislation in ways I don't think we realize.  This desire to make everyone equal, to bring everyone into the same room with no differences, seems to be a brilliant way of doing life to many. In a humanistic way, it seems to be a logical way to solve the problems, to reach world peace.  But you can't legislate people's hearts.  You can't use laws to create a Utopia.  People work best when they are empowered, and empowerment comes from a proper understanding of free will within the context of proper identity.

It isn't everyone making the same amount of money or having similar lifestyles that will bridge the chasms between people.  Only Jesus can do that.   The cross is the great equalizer.  And yet at the cross, when we come and die to our selves so that we can truly live, we are no longer our own, which means that God can bring us down or He can raise us up--and may do a mixture of both in a lifetime.  The surrender of our lives to God DOES look different for each person--because it is a stepping into the fullness of the story He has for each person individually.  That individual story is meant to fuel the success of the whole Body.  He will take us through things that purify us of that comparison that destroys peace and joy-- to take out of us the vision of this age that clouds our hearts.  

 To move with the wind.  To love.  To walk in honor towards all.  To allow our hearts to well up with a kindness and generosity that come straight from the heart of God--a compassion that changes culture because it is heaven sent.  Compassion is not a man made rule passed in Congress and approved by a President.  Same goes for generosity.   They are a work of the Spirit.  Marks of culture transformation that comes from Body revival.  

That's what I want for this nation.  Not a savior President.  I'll continue praying for the current President, and I'll pray for the one who takes office in the next term.   But what I want is The Savior.  A nation excited about Jesus again, obsessed with Him, head over heels in love.