by Andrew Stephens-Rennie
It’s the morning after. Some of us are ecstatic. Others less so. It’s the morning after the election, so now what? Light a cigarette?
It kinda reminds me of something. Of Easter. You know that whole thing about Jesus dying and rising again? Yeah, so that happened. Now what?
No matter what party you voted for, what happens now? Turn over the keys to whoever’s in power, and put it on auto-pilot for the next 4 years?
No matter how many services you showed up to during Holy Week, what happens now? Go on auto-pilot and let whatever happens happen? God’s got it covered, right? No need for anything more until next year.
We are a resurrection people. Some of us say we are. But are we? Do we live that way? Do we live that way, no matter what happens in our land, no matter who’s elected to office? Where do our primary loyalties rest? In the Kingdom of God, or the government of the day?
Recall these words sung of Jesus:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-16)
What, if anything, does this mean to the way we live our lives? What does it mean for our politics?
It seems to me that at the end of the day, it should force us to ask serious, significant questions. It should occasion us to reflect deeply on the ways in which we live as citizens of this Kingdom.
The rule of this kingdom is not based on a first past the post system (imagine what a mess that would be!). It’s not based on periodic elections, though it may be true that some of us choose to cast our vote more often than others.
In the coming days, each of us has the opportunity to reflect upon what it means to serve Jesus and his upside down, mustard seed kingdom. How can we draw one another into the question of what it means to follow Jesus? How can we draw one another into conversation about what this hymn from Colossians means for us today?
How are we being challenged to think about the life and politics of Jesus in contrast to the thrones and dominions and rulers and powers of this world?
We have a great opportunity today and in the coming days to ask these questions. We have a great opportunity today, and in the coming days to declare our loyalties. The election may be over, but the voting has just begun.
In the coming days, we have a great opportunity – no matter who we voted for – to embrace the way of Jesus whose kingdom was inaugurated with the announcement of good news to the poor.
Where will that good news come from?
How will it change the landscape around us?
How will it be made manifest in our lives?
If it’s not, what business do we have calling ourselves Christians?
What business have we declaring ourselves followers of Christ?
He currently serves as the Director of Missional Renewal for the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay on the unceded territories of the Sinixt, Syilx, and Ktunaxa nations. He previously served as the Director of Ministry Innovation at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver, BC.
Andrew is cofounder and contributing editor at www.empireremixed.com, and co-editor of "A Sort of Homecoming: Essays Honoring the Academic and Community Work of Brian Walsh" with Marcia Boniferro and Amanda Jagt.