It is amazing to watch politicians go at each other and realize that many have strong friendships off-camera. When you watch them all together you can feel the venom in their voices. The anger and frustration are clearly there for those who want to open the eyes. Even the civility masks the darts, knives, and other stealth weapons that are present. Even as I come to expect this is corporate life I would find it dangerous if that became part of what happens between those I call friends. The exception exists if everyone is going through the motions as if life is simply as game where nothing really matters except for enjoyment and winning.
I find it hard, difficult, and probably simply impossible to look at life that way. When others are angry that is exactly what they are. Attempts must be made to reconcile and resolve the conflict. If nothing can be done then appropriate space must be created between us. Life is challenging enough without making it worse.
The trouble with politics and relationships, for me, is that often I am hit by a barrage targeted broadly. I find myself reacting as if it is strictly personal! There is no doubt that there is a personal element however it rarely is the complete story. We hold values close to our heart. Our true values reflect the side we have taken. The fa?ade that often goes on as we act out another’s values, defend another’s stand is accurately called hypocrisy. Even if nobody else sees or knows that it exists, we do.
We defend, we fight, and we battle. We continue to make a big mistake. Who is evil’s target? We are obstacles standing between Evil and God. Evil’s soldiers will take on the fight. “They will go to war against the Lamb but the Lamb will defeat them, proof that he is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, and those with him will be the called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17.14)
Life isn’t a game; we have far too much at risk.
