I Voted Today

I haven’t written much here on my blog lately. The teaching I do at Grace Baptist Church, and the courses I take at ACTS Seminaries haven’t left a lot of free space in my head for writing. But I had to post this today. As many of you know I am a dual citizen, American and Canadian. That means that I can vote in the November US election. I mailed my ballot in today. Also today my friend and co-worker Jake Giles passed on a song to me that speaks so deeply of how I feel about the US political situation, especially in regards to the church. So I wanted to share it. I’ve posted the video below along with the lyrics. I’m doing this because he says so well what I am thinking in the areas of faith and politics and how Jesus relates to all of this. I think the church has lost it’s way…but the One leading it isn’t lost. He is “building a city where we arrive as immigrants and you call us citizens and you welcome us as children home.” He’s the One I’ll trust, even if His name isn’t on the ballot.

Citizens - by: Jon Guerra

I have a heart full of questions
Quieting all my suggestions
What is the meaning of Christian
In this American life?

I'm feeling awfully foolish
Spending my life on a message
I look around and I wonder
Ever if I heard it right

Coming to you 'cause I'm confused
Coming to you 'cause I feel used
Coming to weep while I'm waiting
Tell me you won't make me go

I need to know there is justice
That it will roll in abundance
And that you're building a city
Where we arrive as immigrants
And you call us citizens
And you welcome us as children home

You were alone and rejected
Misunderstood and detested
You gave it all, didn't hold back
You even gave up your life

How can we call ourselves Christians
Saying that love is a tension
Between the call of the cross and
Between the old party line

Coming to you for the mothers
Who are all running for cover
There is a flood from their weeping
Tell me you won't make them go

I need to know there is justice
That it will roll in abundance
And that you're building a city
Where we arrive as immigrants
And you call us citizens
And you welcome us as children home

There is a man with a family
He has a wife and a baby
He broke the law just to save them
Working for three bucks an hour

Truly you said we were equal
Everyone's heart is deceitful
Everyone born is illegal
When love is the law of the land

Coming to you for the hungry
Eating the scraps of this country
Didn't you swear you would feed them
Tell me you won't make them go

I need to know there is justice
That it will roll in abundance
And that you're building a city
Where we arrive as immigrants
And you call us citizens
And you welcome us as children home

There is a wolf who is ranting
All of the sheep they are clapping
Promising power and protection
Claiming the Christ who was killed

Killed by a common consensus
Everyone screaming "Barabbas"
Trading their God for a hero
Forfeiting Heaven for Rome

Coming to you 'cause I'm angry
Coming to you 'cause I'm guilty
Coming to you 'cause you've promised
To leave the flock for the one

I need to know there is justice
That it will roll in abundance
And that you're building a city
Where we arrive as immigrants
And you call us citizens
And you welcome us as children home

Where we arrive as immigrants
And you call us citizens
And you welcome us as children home

Is there a way to love always?
Living in enemy hallways
Don't know my foes from my friends and
Don't know my friends anymore

Power has several prizes
Handcuffs can come in all sizes
Love has a million disguises
But winning is simply not one