itsawonderfilledlife

It seems every time I turn on the radio I encounter talk of leadership, or, more specifically, political leaders and wannabees.

There is an election that has been called in our province for later this month, but the news is at least as much about the election south of us, in November (somehow, our media outlets and population have become convinced that US politics need more airtime than our own).

Last week I had simply had enough and stopped listening and reading.

I wish politicians would just speak their plans along with explanations of how they plan to carry them out. Tell us what they did and did not accomplish since the last election. I wish they would apologize for their errors, owning not just the victories, but their failures as well. I wish they would stop pointing fingers and hurling insults and just keep the main things the main things.

The Bible is a good place to go when I need to be reminded of the main things, but even we, who are followers of Christ, can miss the main things.

The best example of this is Israel’s waiting and hope for the Messiah.

When Jesus came, as God’s chosen Messiah, his message did not sound like what they had expected.

They wanted affirmation of the law. Thought that their safety and security was found there.

When he broke the law by healing on the Sabbath, he responded with “the Sabbath was made for humans, not humans for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27)

The law is like a whip, beckoning strict obedience. Jesus, as the Messiah, was and is asking something more, something better. His final message to his beloved disciples has nothing to do with law, everything to do with love.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

It is with love for our God, love for each other that redemption comes to a people, a world in need of saving. It is through love for others that communities strengthen. It is only love, only the leadership of Jesus that will bring (eternal) health and growth to a nation.

He never had to point fingers at the opponent, for what he has to offer is so good that no other is even worthy of mention.

What he has to offer is love … and it’s a promise that will has been, is and will be kept.