As politicians grapple for the presidency this year, politics dominates the national news. Our own governor was in the political spotlight in January when she gave the official GOP response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address. In her remarks, Governor Haley pointed out numerous challenges America faces because of failed politicians, while celebrating how Charleston came together last year in the face of the horrific violence at Immanuel AME Church.
In her remarks, Haley said, "Today, we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory. During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation.” Her comments garnered applause from some and frustration from others. Yet, they pointed to an experiential reality for many: Anxiety. Anger. Worry. Threats.
These are the unexpressed feelings of many in the Lowcountry and across the nation. With the the stock market dropping at a record rate to start 2016 and millions struggling to pay their bills because of a sluggish economy, Americans are worried about their financial security.
Economic anxiety is perhaps overshadowed by the threat of terrorism and the sense that politicians in Washington D.C. are not doing everything to keep the homeland safe. Terrorist shootings in Paris, San Bernardino, and Philadelphia saturate the 24-hour news cycle and remind us that a radical Islamic terrorist could be living (or working) in our neighborhood.
Pessimism from economic and terrorist pressure is not placated when we turn to politics. The presidential candidates range from a volatile billionaire entertainer, an aging New England socialist, and a woman awaiting a potential indictment from the FBI. That’s quite a presidential list to choose from in 2016.
From this perspective, I concur with Governor Haley: we do indeed live in anxious times! National circumstances have created a climate of concern and an American atmosphere of anger and angst.
So how should one respond to the perpetual proclivity towards pessimism? Should everyone just “turn down the volume” as Governor Haley added at the close of her remarks? Or should people shout louder to ensure their voice is heard?
I suggest the answer does not come from the volume of our voice or even the need for our voice to be heard. Rather, it is the voice of another who needs to be heard. The stress and worry in our country and city will be solved by listening and obeying to the voice of our Creator and Redeemer.
Writing from Western Turkey at the close of the first century AD, the aging Apostle John gives two promises of hope. First, he asserts, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may have life in his name” (1 John 5.13). In the midst of a world of corruption, failed promises, and false hopes, John says there is a promise to believe in today. The promise of eternal peace and life is given to all those who have faith in the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, John adds that when we pray we have confidence that God “hears us in whatever we ask” (1 John 5.15). The Creator and Redeemer of the universe not only promises eternal life if you look to him in faith, but he guarantees that he hears you when you come to him with anxiety, anger, and angst.
We do live in anxious, stressful times. But the Triune God is not losing sleep over the stock market, presidential politics, or radical Islamic terrorists. The promise God made to the early church under oppression from the Roman Empire is the same promise he makes to you today. Come to him and find life. Come to him and find peace. Instead of addressing angst and concern by simply turning down the volume, listen to the voice of God in Scripture. In God’s Word you will find hope and peace.
Perhaps our state motto states it better than our governor - Dum spiro spero!
*This article appeared in the February edition of the Carolina Compass.