Flying High

It’s an election year again and Americans are high. No, not on drugs--high on politics!

Media outlets are busy helping crown the winners. Politics rules TV news shows and the editorial pages. People devour the candidates’ latest gaffes and sound bytes. We’re hooked.

We shake our heads at the attack ads. But we watch. Mesmerized. It’s almost religious.

Voters are convinced their candidate is messianic. He or she will right all wrongs, rescue the oppressed, fix the country, and put money in the pockets of the poor.

“Ladies and gentlemen! May I introduce to you the next president of the United States? Source of hope, savior of the economy, world peace negotiator and defender of children and the aged! Drum roll please--TA-DAH--Senator…”--I had you going there for a minute, didn’t I?

“Well hold on just a minute. I really believe in my candidate. He (or she) could do it!”

The Bible says there is only one Messiah and his name is Jesus. Politics has never and will never fix what ails America or any other nation. Politics is a false hope. A lie.

Why? Because the real problem is our addiction. Like a bum in the gutter, we like our booze. And after politics, our intoxicator of choice is money. We can’t get enough of either one.

Somewhere along the way we bought into the idea that money could make us happy. Even the wealthy believe they need “just a little bit more.” Greed is addicting.

They say, “You can never be too rich or too thin.” And we sincerely believe it. Our faith in money’s power to save us drives the popular lotteries and lucrative gambling industry.

The only problem is that it’s a lie. Money has never bought joy or peace. But it sure can buy votes! And so politicians use the promise of jobs and prosperity to get elected.

Jesus shows us a better way. He warned about a life pursuing wealth. He respected government but avoided politics. Politicians polarize people but Jesus unites them in faith.

If only we were as passionate about our faith as we are about our politics and our money!

Remember Jesus said no one could serve both God and money at the same time. And ever since we’ve tried to prove him wrong! But wealth doesn’t satisfy. Only Jesus satisfies.

No wonder the Bible observes, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

It goes on to say, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

That last sentence is one of the most misquoted verses in the entire Bible. It doesn’t say, “Money is the root of all evil.” It says, “The LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

Greed is the motive behind much of the world’s evil. Contentment, however, is the source of great peace and satisfaction. And the secret of contentment is in the Savior, Jesus.

When a person becomes a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, they gain a Heavenly Father who can meet all of their needs. Their focus shifts from greed and envy to trusting God and serving others. It’s a path millions have followed and found to be true.

The Bible sets before us two paths. One path is wide and popular. It’s the road of greed and power over others. It leads to self-destruction and eternal separation from God. Death.

The other path is narrow and less traveled. It’s the road of faith and peace and starts with Jesus. It leads to a fulfilled life and ends in Heaven. And you can’t fly any higher than that!

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!