jesus for president

i have been slowing digesting my way though shane claiborne's book titled, "Jesus For President". when it comes to literature that fully consumes my attention, i plow my way from cover to cover enjoying every paragraph of enlightening wisdom; however failing miserably to reatin any of it at all. this book, this radical and politically challenging book forces me to hault the train of speed reading and dissect each and every new idea posed by mr. claiborne.

during the 2004 election i was a walking ape of george w. bush paraphernalia donning supporters. i attended a mass rally in the city with a girlfriend of mine, purchased republican bumper stickers, taped signs on my apartment windows, and slapped buttons of W's upon my vintage vest. i was also at that time 4 years younger, 4 years less mature, and caught up in the effects of living as an easily influenced woman. without any thoughts of my own, i simply mimicked the opinions of those around me.

but now here we are. 4 years have passed and we are at the brink of yet another election year and i cannot help but admit my ever growing apathy towards the entirety of it all. this idea of jesus for president (not literally of course) does not coincide with that of today's culture. this world in which i am a part of (as much as i wish it were not true, i would be fooling myself if i were to say i am not of this world) blasts its insatiable hunger for power, fame, and fortune. it is a world of black and white, fend for yourself, and an endless pursuit of our very own towers of babel; a world where democrats and republicans will never coexist and each one claims they have the correct ability to properly and effectively lead america back to it's original foundation of justice, freedom, and happiness.

to all of this i find myself turning the channels when the faces of presidential candidates fight for screen time, the radio either is turned off or swapped from the race for presidency updates to the melodies of ray lamontagne, and in the chaos of it all i wonder to myself; "does jesus care? is this how it is supposed to be? could we ever have a present day year of jubilee? does anyone even know what justice and freedom truly look like?" and at the end of my fraying rope of questions i seek the mercy of christ.

4 years of growing and seeking has posed as a reforming process of my political views, and one month of inhaling the possibilities of a world led not of politics but of grace and mercy has changed my political views completely. all of which begs my vote: jesus for president.