Budgets & Shutdowns

Because I live near Washington DC, I regularly hear about all the goings on in Congress and with the Whitehouse.  One of my

  favorite radio stations is 90.1 FM. Here in the DC Metro area, that is CSPAN Radio, brought to you by the nations cable stations!  They broadcast many of the hearings of the committees, caucuses, and political pundits that constantly occur.  In addition to the news outlets, if you live in this area then many of your friends work for the federal government.  Thus, when the congress and the President threatened a government shut-down, everyone was aware of it.

It’s amazing that such a thing can happen – and it almost did.  I do sometimes wonder what the rest of the world thinks of our political system and how we run the country.  I actually find it quite amusing that anything gets done at all – I’m glad it works the way it does, exposing the differences and creating philosophical and value-based conflict that occasionally impacts real people.

Yet, as a man of faith, I do wonder if Christians pay too much attention to doing government right as opposed to living the faith right.  I know I personally struggle and it takes effort to live within my own budget, and I often fail, even to the point where I can’t help others financially the way I would like to.  Oh, I do what I can, keeping my house open, having my children's friends constantly invading my kitchen and basement, and trying to get to know their parents and be an example of a godly neighbor. 

Yet, I do wonder because there are so many believers that focus on the operation of our government that we may forget the operation of our hearts.  Living for God means cutting my own budget – cutting out things that are wasteful and not helpful at allowing me to love and give to others.  Ultimately, the faith should be lived out in ways that attract others to the Lord Jesus. 

I hope and pray that more believers will strive to budget  for God, not only their money but their time and ultimately their hearts.  I pray that what gets shut down is our love for the things in this world that will pass away and we open our homes, hearts, and hands to show this world what authentic faith in God really looks like.  I know I’m not fully their myself, but it’s definitely the direction I’m striving to move.