On Politics and Piety
August 24, 2009
You are probably aware of the current debate regarding healthcare reform. What can be done to provide insurance coverage for the estimated forty-seven million Americans who do not have it? President Obama’s administration is working to answer that question — and they are having a difficult time doing so. Why? Well, Candidate Obama was critical of America’s healthcare system and made a promise to fix it if elected President. But President Obama is finding that promises made may be easier than promises kept. Why? Perhaps it is because the politics of the White House are different from the quest for the White House. Obama must now face political realities that did not exist on the campaign trail. And these realities make his job difficult, indeed. Now, how does this speak to a Christian response to the healthcare debate? The answer is found in Scripture. Specifically, God himself is concerned with the poor, disadvantaged, and marginalized (Psa. 146:8-9; Isa. 1:23; Jer. 5:28-29: James 2:1-4). As such, I believe Obama is correct — morally and biblically — in his desire to meet the needs of the needy regarding healthcare. But that desire is being stifled by political wrangling. What is the solution? It lies in the prayers of the people of God (1 Pet. 3:12). We must pray that those in power will place a greater emphasis on piety than politics. We must pray that our politicians will emphasize godliness instead of greed. We must pray that they will be motivated by the masses, not money. And we must pray that our elected officials will serve the interests of compassion, not the interests of their careers. If these pursuits are embraced, healthcare reform will be possible in this country and all persons everywhere will be able to get the medical care they need. Please think about it, friends, and pray. Pray hard. —JLNJR
