"Humble Politics"

The first week of April I had the privilege of heading to Indiana with Pastor Lige Reed to attend The Gospel Coalition conference at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Getting back to my state-of-origin, I not only enjoyed seeing family, but Lige and I also benefited from some great plenary and break-out session speakers.

I have to say, though, one of the highlights for me was to have Senator Ben Sasse inserted as a last minute plenary speaker. Though I appreciated his entire talk, one part of it will forever stick in my mind: Senator Sasse believes that we should all have a “humble politics.”

There is no question he believes that how a government functions and the decisions made by leaders in a governing body are important. Otherwise, he would not have become Nebraska’s junior senator. Yet, according to Sasse, regardless of which aisle one finds themselves on, many politicians and political junkies put too much faith in the political process. To have a humble politics is to grasp its significance, but not to make it more important than it is.

Senator Sasse is in good company with this view. The Bible agrees.

In Psalm 33:16-17 we read: “The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. ¹⁷ The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.”  In no way is the psalmist arguing that whether or not the king has an army is of no importance. Nor is he suggesting that the soldier’s training is of no consequence (after all, see Psalm 18:32-34). What he is putting forth is that these instruments and structures, though important, make horrible gods—objects of ultimate trust.

The same outlook can go a long way toward preparing us to be involved in the public square in a manner that is constructive and not destructive. If we understand that who is leading, how leaders are leading, and what decisions they are making are significant, then we will be motivated to be informed, to vote, and perhaps even run for office. Yet, to realize these are not our ultimate hope (our god), will go a long way toward:

·         Helping us love those who disagree with us.

·         Engage civilly those on the other side of the aisle.

·         Be willing to critique those for whom we voted when they are wrong.

·         Forgive those who have belittled and taken pot shots at us simply because they do not believe we are right on the issues.

·         Refrain from being devastated when our political heroes let us down (which they inevitably will) and/or when their “correct stances” fail to bring about the outcomes we desired.

“Humble politics:” It’s not only a need we have currently, but would also make a great title for a book written by a Nebraska Senator!