The other night, President Trump gave his first address to the nation. In the mode of the day, it was massively ideologically divided. As he walked into the hallowed hall of Congress, he was greeted by supportive hoorahs and, equally, a protest of relative silence. And after he took to the podium, a Democratic Representative stood standing in protest, waving his cane toward the podium. At the same time, the Speaker called the Sergeant of Arms to escort the Representative out of the room, much to the cheers of the President’s supporters.
My quick take: The piety and spite from both sides of the aisle stand equal. Void of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Nothing we should be proud of in many regards. Yet it is this system of the world that followers of the way are called to live within, yet not a part of. We are to be aliens in a foreign land, adoptees into a different system—the body of Christ—the intention of creation.
Of course, the response to this speech and the hullabaloo around it has, not surprisingly, shown its vigor and venom in the media and social mediums. With much-proclaiming innocence for ‘their side’ laden with ‘yeah, buts’, like “Yeah, Trump is an a**hole, but look at the Dems.” and the likewise for and from the other side of the aisle. Offering forgiveness for mine but not for yours. We’ve become cult-like fans of our lesser of two evils. Or worse—full-on believers in them.
So here we are, dancing intimately with the political spirit in 2025. We’re in a seeming battle of self-righteousness, with either side proclaiming what is right and wrong based on our worldviews, cultural makeups, and the specifics of our faiths.
When it comes to faith, the Bible describes it as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
I reckon that our faiths have become less the substance of hope and the evidence of the unseen and have turned into tenets and rules. Dos and don’ts. Rights and wrongs. Lacking in mystery and opportunities for things deeper. We draw so many strict conclusions that can easily shift us into launching pious diatribes about the ‘rightness’ of our conclusions rather than a posture of availability for God and fertility for growth.
James Finley shares, “We get lost in the answers about God instead of the intimacy with God.” And Jesus came to reach those lost.
Sometimes, I wonder how off the map I, or many of us, can be. While Christ calls us to conviction and to stand on a ground that we deem solid, many political and religious spirits deceive us with input and answers, skewing what is actually solid to stand upon.
In my current season, God has placed a word on my heart. When I become critical of others, he asks, “I hear you, Rick. But what is that to you?” As to prod my mind in a way that challenges, “Perhaps you see some of my truth, but be less concerned about another’s receptivity to it and more concerned about your following, Rick.” Asking me where my heart is, what is my motive…how is my attitude? Seeing the spec in my eye rather than the plank in another’s.
He wants me to check my mind and its intentions and to examine the ground I stand upon, not so much that of others.
My Pastor, Dr. Sebastian Holley, shared the other day that “Most of us want to practice religion because we understand it.” The religious spirit comes with rules to abide by and qualifications to be met rather than a relationship to have with a holy God who has placed me into the earth with a purpose and a truth to manifest as Christ in me, uniquely. I believe when we get our manifestation tied too tightly to the kingdom of this world, we’re not in God’s intention for us.
So, what do we get our minds wrapped up into? What are the spirits we dance with or entertain with too much conviction?
“I hear you, Rick. But what about you?”