Daniel’s Perspective

 As I opened my email today, I rapidly deleted approximately twenty emails that were generated by various political parties announcing reasons that the other party is a disaster and should be avoided at all costs. They usually end their cautionary declaration with the statement something like this, “The future of our nation depends on you voting for us and not them.” I could almost imagine that if there were sound and graphics attached to the email, there would be sirens and flashing lights – anything to draw additional attention to their dire warnings.

     I have not opened any social media today because I am sure there would be a host of messages from “friends” equally concerned about the horrible political state of the nation.  They believe that I must watch an attached video or read a quote from some reliable authority.  This they claim will straighten out my thinking and help me gain clarity—mainly the clarity they have.  Or they will share some snarky witticism about a politician.  After months of this political barrage, I have grown weary of the mean-spirited deluge flooding my life with even more chaos.  The COVID-19 mess does not need reinforcements to unsettle the sanity remaining in a tumultuous world.  Perhaps I have adopted the Peanuts Charlie Brown philosophy, “I’ve developed a new philosophy…I only dread one day at a time.”

     Perhaps Chris Tiegreen gives an accurate summary of politics.  “Much of history is the story of contentious politics.  In today’s age of democracies, we see cycles of debates and disputes over policies and candidates.  Similar debates filled the age of monarchies and empires, not over who would rule, but how well they were ruling.  Some governments have been good, others have been bad, and by no means have any been flawless.”  Such a statement rankles our thinking as we seek perfection—especially in others who impact us.  We often dismiss that expectation of perfection for ourselves.  We muse, “We are only human!  What do you expect?”

     An individual recently posted an article on which he invited people to comment.  The article was written by a popular pastor whose followers hang on his every word.  After reading his declaration on how we should correctly see political candidates, I typed, “Daniel 2:20-21.”  The decision was to not give comments on candidates as this pastor did, but to give a perspective on who really oversees the political world.  Incidentally, the verses say, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power.  He controls the course of the world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.”  My decision for these days is to focus upon who is in ultimate control of all things, not on who could or should be in power.  That perspective is both reassuring and insightful.  From a human perspective, politics is messy and confusing.  From a divine perspective, God reveals, “I’ve got this.”

     In the last 50 years one can observe that former generations were saying similar things as are being said today.  “This is the most important election in our nation’s history.”  “Unless so-and-so is elected our nation cannot survive.”  “If so-and-so is elected our world is doomed.”  Such statements are used to seed fear in people’s minds as a tool to influence their votes.  Former President Richard Nixon once said, “People react to fear, not love; they don’t teach that in Sunday School, but it’s true.”  Daniel’s revelation from God counters such fearful prognostications.  God knows the end from the beginning, and He lovingly knows what pathway is required to get us there.

     Is such an outlook fatalism or faith?  This can only be answered by evaluating our philosophical starting point.  If we believe life is guided by chance, then it is fatalism—we suppose whatever will be will be.  If one believes life is guided by divine design, then it is faith—we believe the God who loves us knows how to direct our world and care for us even in unsettled times and political turmoil.  Perspective is powerful in either releasing us from despair or submersing us deeper into despondency.

     Hopefully, you have voted by now.  That is the privilege and right God has given us in our nation.  What now?  Rest in the assurance that the chaos we see and the emotional concerns they generate can be viewed from a perspective like Daniel’s.  God is in control regardless of the political outcome.  Pray for whomever God will use in the coming days in our nation.  This is our duty as Paul indicates in 2 Timothy 2:2 “Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

Living in a Cranky Culture

Is it my imagination or have people become increasingly cranky? Maybe I have become hypersensitive in this environment of an extended pandemic, racial injustice, and political nastiness. During this time maybe the cultural veneer of our nation’s character has cracked and the real us is on display. Car horns seem to blow quicker. Irritability is verbally expressed more sharply and more often. Patience – never a strong national attribute – has shortened. Smiles have become more infrequent. People’s greetings are acknowledged even less. Mistakes are magnified while gratitude for kindnesses are minimalized. You get the point. We have become a grumpy society basking in mistakes of others, while becoming emotional bulldozers in interactions with people. We have become a nation of nit pickers – and it shows!

     Emotionally current issues appear to have a major impact upon people. The NPR organization reports that “Nearly a quarter of the people in the United States are experiencing depression… That’s nearly three times the number before the COVID-19 pandemic began.” Why is this crisis causing more trauma than others like September 11^th and Hurricane Katrina? There are likely multiple factors. Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of the School of Public Health in Boston, reasons anxiety exists as people not only fear catching the virus but also the resulting economic implications. They are also seeing the emotional tragedy broadcast on the news 24/7. It seems like there is no place to avoid the layering on of bad news, new news, or questionable news. An irrational impression develops that this mess will never end. It is no wonder that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in mid-August that “a significant number of American’s reported experiencing mental health symptoms during the pandemic – including depression, anxiety, substance abuse and thoughts of suicide” (www.npr.org). All this is occurring while Psychologist George Everly at John Hopkins University notes that the most effective way to manage stress – social connection within a community – has been neutralized by social distancing and required isolation.

 

   This environment has generated irritability. The American Psychological Association did a survey in July of 3,010 Americans and reported “Among the survey respondents, 40 percent reported feeling frustrated (compared to 30 percent in April and May), while 18 percent said they felt angry (up from 12 percent). Americans are, in other words, getting angrier by the day” (www.nbcnews.com). So, the guy who laid onto the horn the other day may simply be having a hard time dealing with the collection of crises that to him seems to be out of his control, and he is frustrated. The only thing he could control was his horn!

     Must we conclude this is hopeless? Should we just ignore the outbursts of our cranky culture? Do we retaliate and roll down our “emotional windows” and respond with a cranky outburst of our own? Perhaps there are some checks we could make that may neutralize some of the irritability and anger swirling around us. First, do a “self-focused” check. Jesus taught in Matthew 7:1-5 that we need to check on our issues – the plank in our own eye – before we try and correct flaws – the sawdust – we see in others. Too often when we are stressed by life’s circumstances, we bypass our reactions and focus upon how another has acted. These are tough days for more than us. Extend a little more grace to the overwhelmed person you may be encountering.

     Second, do an “other-focused” check. Jesus taught in Matthew 7:12 (NLT), “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” How many times would aggravations either diminish or evaporate if this principle were implemented. I loved seeing a news a report that displayed this attitude. Steffy’s Towing company in Ephrata found $32,000.00 in a car that was totaled. They returned the money to the owner and responded when questioned about their action, “"I would hope that if we ever found ourselves in that position somebody would do the same for us." What a change could occur in a cranky world if people viewed life in this way – “other-focused.”

     Last, do a “Jesus-focused” check. Jesus challenged his disciples right after he had washed their feet in John 13:14-15 (NLT), “Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” When there is any doubt as to how we should operate in a cranky world, we have an example of how we should treat others. Look for ways to serve and care for them. How many stressed-out, cranky people would be transformed with such treatment.

     Years ago, I taught a children’s Bible club. One chorus the children liked to sing had these words, “Jesus, and others, and you, what a wonderful way to spell joy!” Perhaps when we encounter crankiness in our culture we can keep these words in in mind, “J stands for Jesus for he has first place; O stands for others we meet face to face; Y stands for you in whatever you do; Put yourself last and spell joy.” I have a strong feeling there may be some changes in our cranky culture if this chorus was implemented in real life!  

Macro Vision and Micro Vision

The tragedy occurred December 29, 1972, when the macro view was lost by a focus on the micro view. Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 was a scheduled flight from New York JFK to Miami and was on approach to their destination near midnight. The fight had been routine. As they approach their landing and the landing gear was lowered, the cockpit crew noticed the absence of an illuminated green light. This was the identifying light confirming that the nose gear was properly locked in the "down" position.. The experienced cockpit crew began focusing on the indicator light, set the plane on autopilot, and removed the light assembly to examine it. The flight engineer was dispatched to the flight deck below to confirm that the landing gear was indeed down. During the action in the cockpit, the auto pilot was accidently disengaged, and the plane began a slow unnoticeable decent. When it was noticed that the plane had descended from the assigned holding pattern of 2,000 ft., it was too late. Within 10 seconds the plane crashed into the Everglades. There were 101 fatalities, and only 75 passengers and crew survived. Why did this happen? The crew was focused upon a micro issue, the light bulb (which later was discovered to have burned out) and this overshadowed the macro issue – flying the plane! One of the key issues that fight instructors stress in their flight simulator classes is that someone must fly the plane and not focus upon smaller things.

    We live in a culture where it is easy to focus upon the micro view of life – the smaller details of living. The constant barrage of news in our media saturated world causes many to lose sight of the macro view of life – the most essential details of life. A saying is often repeated, “Make the main thing, the main thing.” This is a great thought, but often overlooked by details that vie for our attention. Think of some of the micro details that easily capture our attention: a presidential election, a pandemic, social unrest, racial inequities and tensions, financial tensions, job loss and insecurity, emotional instability, and a hundred other issues. It is not hard to allow these to become the main thing that fills our vision.

     Should we ignore the micro issues of life? No! However, they should never be allowed to distort or overshadow our vision of the macro issues of life – loving God and loving others. These were issues that Jesus declared as being most essential (Mark 12:28-34). These macro issues controlled the micro issues that entered Jesus’ life. Jesus was a man on a mission because he knew his macro goal was to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). In doing this he was loving who the Father loves (John 3:16) and loving people by providing for them an abundant life which God has for lost humanity (John 10:10). The micro issues were done by Jesus – dealing with people’s physical needs, displaying his divine authority, gathering followers, etc. They were, however, always subservient to his macro issues. Jesus said, “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me… for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:28-29).

     An event occurring in the lives of two women who deeply loved Jesus illustrates this principle. He had come to their home (recorded in Luke 10:38-42). One, Martha, had a micro vision of life. She was consumed with the details of making sure their guest was fed an excellent meal and expended herself in that task. Her sister, Mary, had a macro view of life and wanted just to be with Jesus and learn everything he had to say. She was not focused upon the issues that her micro-focused sister was. There the conflict arose. Martha thought Mary was a slacker and that she was bearing the brunt of what “had to be done.” Jesus shared a perspective that Martha needed, “You are upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary discovered it – and I won’t take it away from her” (41-42 NLT). Was Jesus saying eating and nourishing the body were unimportant? No! He was stressing what was most important. Jesus was not about to die of starvation. God the Father’s macro plan for him was to die on a cross. Jesus was therefore not worried about where his next meal was coming from – he after all could create the meal! Jesus wanted to leave behind a well-equipped and informed disciple. Mary’s action was fulfilling that passion. Macro vision must always guide our micro vision.

     It was A. W. Tozer that said, “We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.” That is not just a future focus in heaven; it is a present focus while we live on earth. What is our view of life and how is it impacting the way we live life? Are we upset about issues that matter to us because we are micro viewers? Or are we relaxing in the bigger view of life – the macro view of life? May we live all of life for the glory of God and then filter the smaller details of life through that lens.