I just read Hidden Tribes – A Study of America’s Polarized Landscape – See link below: https://hiddentribes.us/media/qfpekz4g/hidden_tribes_report.pdf

I found this study mentioned in a devotional I was reading.  I find it fascinating!  I would place myself as a mix of the Traditional and Devoted Conservative and see myself in minor portions of the Exhausted Majority.  It is lengthy but very interesting. 

Take some time to look through the descriptions of the different “Tribes”.  Do you see yourself in any of them?  Read the conclusion.  What do you think of this statement:

“America today needs a renewed sense of national identity, one that fosters a common vision for a future in which every American can feel that they belong and are respected. National identity can be the force that unifies people to overcome the polarization that has been the focus of this report.”

I do believe that America, on the world stage, is truly unique.  The founding principles were radical for that time and still are today.  Their ability to instill a sense of unity in people from all walks of life, though not unparalleled, was and is amazing. The above statement reminded me of the strength found in the national identity and unity instilled by God in the 12 tribes of Israel.  Though the “tribes” eventually allowed factions and divisions to break them apart, their unity and identity as a “people” remains today.  It also reminds me of early Christianity.  Though denominationalism has resulted in division and factions I believe a Christ-follower can still go anywhere in the world and find unity and identity with other Christians as a common people.

I watched portions of the 1^st GOP debate but tuned in too late to see it all.  I believe that any of those on the stage would be better than what we have now!  I remember that our first President argued against the establishment of political parties.

“Parties were factions that threatened to divide the electorate into competing groups who might use violence to advance their interests. Parties might also disrupt the separation of powers, especially in the case of unified government where loyalty to a party could interfere with the system of checks and balances. Parties also threatened to stand in the way of effective representation, with elected officials tempted to represent only fellow party members and to leave opposition groups without a voice in government.”

See: teachingamericanhistory.org

His opinion has clearly been shown to be correct!

However, though I grow tired of the political-party divisiveness, and bemoan laws and political decisions that do not agree with my world-view, the Scripture found in Romans 13:1, and 1 Samuel 8 resound in my head:

 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.”  Romans 13:1

And the predictive words of God found in 1 Samuel 8 when the elders of Israel demanded “a king to rule us, like everybody else.”  When Samuel presented their demand to God, He answered:  “Go ahead and do what they are asking.  They are not rejecting you.  They’ve rejected me as their King.” (The Message).  So what did God say the human king would do? Forced labor, cronyism, funneling resources for personal wealth, taking personal property, taxes, and more taxes.  Sound familiar?

Somehow, I must trust that the powers and authorities God allows will ultimately serve to glorify Him and fulfill His will and promises.  I have to ask myself what God is trying to teach me personally through these Scriptures.  Perhaps that neither my hope nor my future lies in the hands or decisions of political parties or politicians.  Both my hope and my future are in God’s hands. 

So the conclusion of the matter is, “Don’t get too bent out of shape.  Trust in God”.  Right?

To perhaps clarify this, one more piece of Scripture came to my mind as I write this, Ezekiel 9:4:  ”The Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.” NASB

This “mark” was evidence that they were ”bent out of shape”, and distressed. Those “who sigh and groan” over injustice, violence, a breakdown of societal structure, rejection of God, and contempt for Godly precepts and principles.  Those without the “mark” were killed.  Though the context is another place and another time, the principle, in God’s eyes, is universally applicable.

Perhaps there is a measure of being “bent out of shape” that is appropriate when it comes to our contemporary society in America.  Do I express this in a way that would earn me a “mark” on my forehead?  Or am I simply a “ resounding gong or clanging cymbal” without love. (See 1 Corinthians 13).  Do I express my groaning without understanding that my fellow “people” are not the enemy.  The Enemy that has deceived them is the enemy!

I wondered, as I read the Study, how I can be more intentional about finding common ground; even with those whom I vehemently disagree.  Should I even try?

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”  Hmmm, sounds like he is advocating finding common ground with those he finds within his area of influence.  Perhaps, and especially, those who are disagreeable. Why?  To turn them towards God.  This does not mean that he is advocating surrender to the culture and throwing out God’s moral standards.  Previously he said:

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.”

I refer you to Acts 17:22; 22:1-2 and 22:25-29 as examples of how Paul found common ground.  He did not compromise or water down his message.  But he was willing to, temporarily, set aside his God-given rights and his freedom in Christ.  Why?  He said, “for the sake of the gospel”.  What about me?

I leave you with a portion of the words of a poem I memorized as a young man, Desiderata (Latin: “things desired”) by Max Ehrmann.  Though not Scripture inspired by God, perhaps words that were inspired by Scripture.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Be blessed.  Be encouraged.  You are loved by God, and most assuredly by many others!

Mike