With a nod to Larry Arnn, let’s consider where we are.  The world is confronted with a natural disaster/crisis on a global scale.  We have responded with a self-created economic crisis of unprecedented scale.  The cries of anguish from both the pandemic and the economic crisis are frightening and heart-wrenching.  Piled on top of that are previously unknown or unconsidered challenges to religious freedom and civil rights.  The science behind all of this is, at best, uncertain.  Parts of the world are beginning to experience food riots.  Deals don’t get much bigger than this one.

And yet somehow, here in the United States, we are treated to politics as usual and media as usual.  I fully realize the election coming this fall must happen in order to preserve our republic.  To postpone it would be to give up on it altogether in this crisis.  But you would think that in a time like this the campaign would take on a new, and more serious, tone.  But no, as Drucker said this morning, “Politics is not in abeyance.”  He was referring to the unbelievable battle over the refunding of the PPP, but that statement could apply just as well to just about everything that is going on.  As three southern states look to open up as rapidly as possible, there are articles not just criticizing, but berating them.  The daily briefings are perhaps the most combative presidential press avails in American history.  More often than not, reporters look to play presidential gotcha rather than ask questions designed to inform the public.

Even intra-party politics is getting pretty harsh.  As Joe Biden’s basement campaign continues to look quite weak, other party hopefuls are clearly maneuvering to be well positioned come convention time, whatever form that convention may end up taking.  Sadly, some are doing so on the back of very large and vitally important regions of the country, even if under a cloud of suspicion.  (I have to make an aside here.  I wonder if it has dawned on anyone that California’s apparent dodging of the bullet had more to do with the president’s early ending of flights from China, most of which come to the west coast than anything else.  I mean let’s face it, you could still get to the US from China via Europe, most of those flights come into the east coast.  Just sayin.)

How is it this is possible?  We long ago gave up on “politics ending at the water’s edge,” but you would think such considerations might still apply to a crisis of this enormity.  Something most fundamental has changed in order for things to be this politically contentious when circumstances are this dire.  Part of the reason foreign wars have become so contentious is that we can afford it.  With an all volunteer military and national wealth historically unimaginable military action, even on very large scales, no longer requires total national focus.  But this crisis does require such focus; with the economic complications we have imposed this crisis has lasting, important and consequential effect on each and every individual.  Thus we cannot explain away the contentiousness by analog to recent military action.  Something much more fundamental has happened.

Our leadership is now more interested in their own success than they are in serving the nation.  But worse, we have come to accept that fact, which means that we have become equally self-interested.  If we do not find a way to reverse that trend we risk tearing ourselves apart.  This trend of increasing self-interest seems to coincide with a general decrease in Christian influence in our nation.  I do not think that is coincidental.

This crisis presents the greatest of challenges to the church.  The church is confronted first with enormous immediate material needs.  There are people to be fed, housed and cared for in illness.  This is a time for deep and abiding charity.  Secondly the church is confronted with enormous emotional and spiritual need.  People are anxious, fearful and in some cases depressed.  Finally, the church is confronted with the opportunity created by this crisis to restore its place in our societal and cultural order.  As just outlined, failure to do so threatens to tear us apart.

Before I pray for the nation today I pray for the church.  I pray that we can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, rise to the challenge.  I pray that the church can have the vision necessary to understand its vital role in our national recovery.  I pray for the nation that it will make room for the church and that role.  I hope you will join me.