The recent government shutdown has inspired a number of thoughts that lead me to ministry. Early in my ministry history (more than 20 years ago now), I was a lobbyist in New York State. I lobbied for women’s issues and was part of a few bills that became state law. (One became national law under George W. Bush.) To your right, you can see a picture of me from around 2001. I was with a lobbying group (mostly ministers) and Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington on one of our lobbying days. Convincing politicians of the benefit of our bills was always a challenge. Initially, it was a thrill ride. Later, my enthusiasm waned to a lesson in futility.
One bill would pass. Victory ensued, but was short. Another bill would have to pass to cover the loophole found in the other bill. Around 2004, I realized this wasn’t the way to impact people’s lives. I left for full-time Christian ministry rather than trying to convince politicians about passing bills. Fully committed to Kingdom work, I never looked back.
I don’t criticize people who engage in such government work. I also acknowledge the Christian call to pray for leaders and governmental officials (1 Timothy 2:1-4). When I committed to be a “citizen of heaven” (Philippians 3:20), my interest in government changed. That doesn’t mean, however, that I don’t know what’s going on or that I cease to have an opinion. I don’t want to fight about Republicans vs. Democrats. Politics of all sorts are destroying Christianity as we understand it. I do, however, want to talk about spiritual lessons present in the situation. For this, let’s look at kingdom lessons from the government shutdown.
Looking to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken
As a flex-time federal employee, I am feeling the sting of mandatory furlough. I know what it’s like to be one of the 700,000+ federal employees who are currently out of work. I know what it’s like to rely on the government for livelihood. Even saying that, I also acknowledge in Christianity that we’ve become way too dependent on the government.
No matter your political beliefs, too many Christians feel as if our very lives and futures lie in the hands of American leaders. Whether the goal is to cozy up to politicians to implement laws perceived favorable or fighting to impose laws that uphold fairness or justice, many believe the answers to our future lie in government legislation. The words of Hosea 14:3 come to mind: Assyria cannot save us. (NIV) Whether it’s Assyria or Rome or the United States government, no matter what way politics sway, no governmental power has the ability to save us.
Neither Republican, nor Democrat, nor Christian nation
Last time I checked, Jesus was neither Republican, nor Democrat, nor elected, nor retired, nor American. No matter what comes along, God is still God. It’s a myth to believe the United States was ever a Christian nation. It’s perfectly legal to be a Christian in this nation, but that doesn’t mean Christianity (which sector of Christianity is a whole different issue) gets to dictate the direction of this nation. The United States is a secular power, subject to be “shaken” because it is just as much a part of this world as any other. This shutdown reminds us of this. It can’t save us, but when we are too dependent on it, it becomes an idol. It’ll keep shaking until we get the message.
Hebrews 12:25-29 reminds us there is one Kingdom that cannot be shaken:
See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (ESV)
When the government shows its instability, God shows us His stability.
What happens when leaders don’t lead
This particular government shutdown shows a bleak picture of American leadership. Partisanship has replaced leadership, with top leaders refusing to accept responsibility for the shutdown. Sound familiar? It does to me. Christian leaders often talk a good game about the sake of the unity of the church, but when it comes time to be responsible, it’s always someone else’s fault.
What we see in the government shutdown is paramount to how we interact in the church. The difference is this time, we can see the results on a larger scale. Griping, immature people shut down the entire government because they don’t get their way and can’t get along with each other. Now, innocent people are caught in the crossfire: furloughed, facing possible termination, losing benefits, or otherwise suffering because the leaders won’t grow up and compromise or work together. When Kingdom leaders do the same, innocent people also suffer. They get caught in debates and disagreements, fights and arguments, and can’t see how to get along with others by example.
Disagreements can be resolved
Disagreement isn’t the enemy. In the early church, the apostles, elders, and leaders had disagreements. Some of these disagreements are documented in Scripture. Whether it was about rules or regulations, whether or not someone had to become Jewish to be saved, or about something else, the leaders of the church had to get together to discuss things, and make decisions. Acts 15:6-11 says:
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, Who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. (ESV)
When it comes down to it, leaders recognize it’s essential to do what’s in the best interest of the church. Remember, members rely on a consistent voice, unity, and maturity to govern in everyone’s best interests.
Who does your ministry reach?
During the 2013 government shutdown, a former friend of mine posted a status on Facebook that made me think. While I don’t have the exact quote, I remember he pointed out something important. Jesus often surrounded himself with people who would be out of a job, such as tax collectors, thanks to the shutdown. Those are also people many fear in a modern context (the IRS, census takers, government officials, etc.). He recommend that it was beneficial for people to pray, as you never know who might be reading negative posts and turned off to the faith because of them.
So, as someone directly impacted by this, let me ask you: are you praying for the workers who are affected by the shutdown? Did you consider that, with your myriad of government employee jokes, someone might see that who is now out of work? What about the way your rants might impact someone who is innocent in this process? There may very well be someone sitting in your church who lost their job and is now dealing with hard times. Will you gossip about them or turn your back to their needs because their station in life is different from yours? Maybe better asked, how are you going to help them in their time of need? Philippians 2:4 reminds us:
Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. (AMPC)
Kingdom expansion continues no matter what the government is doing
It’s a misnomer to think we need a Christian government to be Christian people. In some of the most awful persecutions in history, the church flourished.In some of the most oppressive nations on earth, there are still growing Christian churches. Despite oppression, government shutdown, and whatever else you may see going on in the secular world, the Gospel continues to be in demand. It is still the only message that leads us to salvation. We must preach on, work on, and minister to the world with hope, even when we don’t see or feel it in the secular arena. Don’t let government shutdowns shut you down. If you’re called to preach…minister…teach…whatever it is for the Kingdom…now is as good a time as any. Mark 16:15 still says:
A message to pay attention
The government shutdown should call us to attention. We need to examine ourselves and see if what we do is shaken or stable. This world is going to shake, shake, shake until it exists no more. The Kingdom of God cannot be shut down, nor can it be shaken. Let us be level-headed, practical, and attentive to Kingdom matters. Most importantly, let us stop being so divided along secular lines. That person without a job right now who goes to your church is your sibling in Christ. Those government leaders who can’t get along right now are a type of the attitudes and division we see in the church on a daily basis. They also need Jesus, just as much as anyone else does. Those people not working together in the government right now, that’s a type of us here in the church not working together.
Step back, think, watch, pray. Most importantly, change. I don’t want to see your ministry shaken because the foundation of the Lord can’t be found within it!
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