(This question dogged me all during Lent: Have the people who govern us become ash-like–the life-stealing residue of destructive forces being unleashed on us each day? Today’s entry summarizes one set of answers to my own question…)
The fires that live inside of some of our political leaders are creating conflagrations that are slowly destroying much of what we have taken for granted as a nation. Burning with self-declared righteous indignation, they promote their ideals as torches for the rest of us to follow. Their intolerably high emotional temperatures ignite bonfires of bombast. The historic “thousand points of light” seem overwhelmed by countless destructive embers, each capable of starting and spreading its own uninvited inferno.
Danger waits inside these fire-starters’ lives, though: Those who play with fire can themselves be burned beyond recognition. Their fervently-held principles can get charred. Their presumably virtuous goals can be consumed in the heat of anger and hate. By their soulless attitudes, cruel actions and obvious ineptitudes, some of our leaders may self-immolate, burn up and make ashes out of themselves.
It’s hard to find redemption or grace in the governance of these ashes. Where “might makes right”, confession is not an option. Because these leaders believe in their absolute authority to upend society, they impose on the rest of us their marred views of national purpose and identity. These dark and ominous ashes reward only those who choose to agree with them.
These ashes insist. These ashes intrude on others’ lives. These ashes brag and bully. These ashes force us to bear their burdens. These ashes enforce their opinions and punish non-compliance. These ashes show no mercy or kindness. These ashes mar the country’s emotional landscape. Because these ashes are not God, they cannot create, redeem or sanctify anyone or anything. Instead, they create death by virtue of their ugly idolatries.
For those who still seek life: If we allow ashen leaders to impose themselves on our lives, we’re the ones who need to repent. The ashes can impose on themselves….
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