(NOT) OBSESSING OVER POLITICS

“The Lord is king, let the peoples rage; He sits on the cherubim, let the earth be shaken. The Lord is great in Sion, and He is high above all peoples…” (Ps 98: 1-3, LXX-translation)

Amidst our modern-day obsession with politics and politicians, which seems to locate all hope and meaning in life within the limited space of the political sphere, this ancient Psalm reminds me of another perspective. It’s our maleducation in the broader spheres of religion and culture, as many social critics note, that has led to our misdirected focus on national politics.

Even as I am informed, to the extent I need to be, about political issues of our day, I’m reminded that I need not obsess over them. Because the simple truth that “the Lord is king” expands our horizons, and faith in His abiding presence among us liberates us from a short-sighted focus on the hot-button issues of the moment. As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, I’m also privy to a broader vision, and have its “good news” both to internalize and to pass on, as my primary purpose. “The Lord is king, let the peoples rage.” I don’t need to rage with them. “For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord!