When I was in high school, mowing the yard was part of my weekly chores. Since there was a creek in my backyard, I often dodged snakes, toads and other wildlife. On one occasion, I got too close to my father’s garden, clipping the edge of a hornets nest. Acting out in self-defense, I was stung several times despite running away in self-preservation.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace, Ecclesiastes 3:8.
This same concept applies to politics. In order to get elected, individuals try to be all things to all people. Along the way, candidates have to raise money, pledging to remember donors if elected. Nonetheless, eventually every person on the ballad box stumbles upon an issue symbolic of a hornet’s nest. As soon as this topics is addressed, swarms of critics come out of no where, attacking to insure their self-preservation.
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask, James 4:1-2.
When president Donald Trump was elected in 2016, one of his campaign promises was to drain the swamp known as Washington, DC. While Trump’s brash style, competitive nature and strong feelings has resulted in several self-induced afflictions, he’s actually doing what he said he would. Whether you agree with Trump’s politics or not, the harder he tries to drain the swamp, an increasing number of political hornets will come out of hiding to attack, attempting to hold on to spheres of influence and power.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil, Ephesians 6:11.
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis addresses self-preservation. Within a chapter on the Law of Human Nature, Lewis highlights 3 objections to this law. On example refers to soldiers fighting a war. While murder is one of the ten commandments in the context of “thou shall not,” this atmosphere turns life upside down. You must kill or be killed causes moral dilemmas for those who serve their country. Subsequently, the desire to live will continue to urge individuals to act out in the spirit of self-preservation. Like the hornets in my illustration above, may the Lord use self-preservation to help people see the big picture, a world doing whatever it takes to survive.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 