“Jargon, not argument, is your best ally …” 
Your affectionate Uncle Screwtape

Last night I couldn’t sleep. I needed a good book to read, something to get lost in. For the first time in my life, I have grown tired of reading about Hitler and his Nazi’s. So I ventured over to the bookshelf to see if there was anything there that looked a tad bit intriguing? 

A small little book in the left corner of the bottom shelf caught my eye, “The Screwtape Letters.” I haven’t read that short whimsical tale in 15 some odd years. I forgot most of it – – and what a joy that is. Nothing like being reacquainted with an old friend. The cover has a simple white background with red borders, a gargoyle drawing at the top and C.S. Lewis’ large signature scribbled across the middle.

It was time to read. Wearing my black plaid pajamas, I poured myself a dark cup of Jo. Ah, nothing liking reading in a quiet house with a slumbering family safely tucked away. I opened the front page and started slow, word by tasty word, line by wonderful line. After the first terse paragraph into the book, I came across a well-worn phrase that has always struck me as a classic tidbit of Lewis’ wisdom. It reads like this:

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils (a.k.a.: demons and Satan). One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”

Sublime wisdom.

You know, as I pondered this statement, a new thought crossed my mind. This same deep current of truth can also be applied to our modern day political arena. On one hand, there are many who regard politics as irrelevant and absurd. They “disbelieve” in finding any hope for honesty and integrity, not caring a lick who governs or wins the nomination for each respective party. They have given up. 

Then there are those on the other side, I call them the obsessed. Every move the president makes will either spark an uncontrollable fire of rage or send a shiver of delight running up their thigh. They are ravenous political animals living off of cable news and reading biased right and left wing blogs. They also are easy prey for jargon, political slogan and silly generalizations. As Lewis quips, “they can feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in” jumping into the political fray.

Both of these approaches are juvenile. When it comes to how your country, state and town are run you should care, but not be consumed. It is like walking the ridge of a steep rooftop; if you lean too far one way or the other you could topple off and hurt yourself and others. This is exactly the reason why people are warned never to talk about “politics and religion” when sitting at a table of strangers. Once the phrase “What think ye of the President?” is let out of Pandora’s locked box — you will experience all manner of demons and devils let loose. 

So then, should we avoid politics altogether? In 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Paul commands us to care, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” It really does matter who is leading our country, that is why Paul wants us to pray.

And in order to pray, you must care. Do you care enough to pray? 

But if you are not careful in your caring, the demon named politics desires to possess you. It is rather easy for him to push you off the roof. The clearest way to tell if you have lost a balanced bearing is by asking yourself, “Do I care so much that I am beginning to hate those I disagree with? Do I view people across the aisle as villainous and vile? Have I grown so callous toward my political rivals that I don’t even want them to know and experience the love of God?” It is natural and healthy to argue and debate ideas, in fact, it is necessary! But the moment you slander, demean and despise another human it is a sure sign that you care far too much.

I know this firsthand because I have fallen off the roof many a time. The Spirit of God will confront me in the quiet of night and ask me, “Chris, you think it is hard being a pastor of a relatively small church, try running a country?” He has shown me that I have actually hated people. When I see certain politician’s faces on a television screen I instantly fume. This is not healthy. . . God forgive me! So if the president wants to go golfing again, who am I to begrudge him some downtime in the most pressure-filled job on earth?

We all are a part of this country, “We” are “the People.” And as a Christian, it would do the  U.S. of A. some good to have you and your God-given compassion for others involved in the decisions that are being made. If you disagree with that last statement, go live in Russia for a year and see what 70 years of atheism has wrought on the innocent. It is sad and devastating. I think the biggest problem with the downward slide of our country is that a whole bunch of godly Christians have simply given up. They left the discussion, their voices have been reduced to silence.

This reminds me of one more quote in “The Screwtape Letters” that I believe is germane to this discussion on politics and the lack of involvement of the good man:

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”

We can choose not to care hoping problems will all go away. We can hide away in our home, stay away from the polls, turn off the media and simply let it be. But it isn’t that easy – – God placed you in the world where we are to care about it. To love your neighbor. To help the needy, and elect people who create laws to be fair for all.

So, this political year, don’t let the devil win and push you off the ridge of the roof. Stay steady, and pray. I know I need to begin there.