I suppose you would have to have been living under a rock not to be aware of the longstanding health care debate that has been going on in America. This has been near the top of most American Christians’ prayer “lists” the past few years and most certainly the past few months.
Christians in America have a significant interest in how this congressional saga turns out. Health care is fundamentally a moral issue. For example, where our government lands on this issue will have major consequences on the life of the unborn as well as the elderly. It will also impact Americans, such as in the area of “reverse incentives.” While I understand our current government’s desire to help people, they have a worldview that is contrary to the Bible. As it stands, this bill has very little to applaud.
Not Surprised
I am not surprised by the socialistic agenda of the current administration. President Obama has been “telegraphing his punches” since he entered the Presidential race several years ago. What he has proposed and what was passed last Sunday evening is not a shocker. It is a partial fulfillment of his worldview and agenda.
The outcome of this legislation will be hard to fathom. Most certainly, only time will tell. But I do believe it will be safe to say that the outcome will be mostly negative for the American people. Lucia and I have been gleaning a lot of information on this particular legislation. We have also been praying, while seeking to encourage others to do their part to let their voices be heard. Our prayer has been for God to intervene according to our will, hoping that our will and his will was the same. At this point, he has answered our prayers another way, according to his will.
Surprised
While I am not surprised by the outcome of this legislation, I have been surprised by some of the Christian banter I’ve read on the Internet and by the opinions of a few friends with whom I’ve interacted with. My surprise was their muted hope in God, their unkindness or harshness toward others, and the general lack of biblical focus.
When I am hurting, disappointed, or discouraged about the outcome of any situation I want to be surrounded by people who are going to point me to Christ and remind me of the hope I have in the Gospel. If a lady was raped by someone, my counseling approach would not be angry rants, sarcasm, or hopeless outcome projections for the perpetrator’s actions. I would have two immediate goals: to offer hope in God and to offer a practical plan to respond to the hurt and suffering she is going through.
I expect Rush Limbaugh to be negative, cynical, and angry about the current political decisions made in Washington. This is why I do not listen to him. He perpetuates negativity and cynicism in our country. Some of his ideas may be good, but his attitude is sinful.
Does Jesus Care?
I think whether or not Jesus cares about our new heath care plan is the wrong question to ask. While Jesus would give a “courtesy nod” to Caesar, the government was not his point of focus. Jesus was an alien and he lived like one. We, too, are aliens. I think in moments like this we need to remind ourselves that our citizenship is somewhere else and in that, we can find steady and reassuring hope.
Though I wish the health care bill had gone another way and though I am sad about it, I have not given up on my country. I will continue to exercise my rights as a citizen of this country, but I am not angry, hopeless, or out-of-focus regarding the main thing. God is bigger than ObamaCare and I can find rest in His will.
Read Also: A Christian’s View of Health Care Reform
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It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.
