No Substitute

The only representative we have, spiritually speaking, is Jesus Christ First Timothy 2:5. In our everyday lives, however, we can't depend on someone else to serve or love or live or "shine the light" for us. We can't "hire" or "elect" someone else to fulfill our calling. As parents, for example, it's each of our responsibilities to teach and guide our children and growing youth. Sending them to church or to a youth retreat is helpful, but only insofar as it is an extension of the spiritual life and conversations in our homes.

There's an interesting conversation going on which is connected with my visit to the Laestadian "Summer Services" back on July 6. Leaving aside our differences for the moment, the Laestadian member I'm talking with makes a great point that we can learn from in our church:

As to the teaching of the youth, it starts at home; each parent assumes an essentially sacred duty. That duty is taken seriously and with joy. The parents regularly discuss, advise, admonish, and direct their kids as to the fundamentals of living as “believers.”

Our Laestadian brothers and sisters understand that they can't hire someone to teach the faith to their children. Do we?

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Added 12:30 p.m. -- Our towns, schools, counties, state and nation is served by a representative democracy. This is different than the way we relate spiritually. In the U.S.A. we have a duty to debate the issues and then elect representatives who then govern for us.

Martin Luther wrote this in his book On Secular Authority:

God has ordained the two governments: the spiritual, which by the Holy Spirit under Christ makes Christians and pious people; and the secular, which restrains the unchristian and wicked so that they are obliged to keep the peace outwardly...

Since it's election day in the secular realm tomorrow, I thought some in our area might appreciate a link to our local newspaper's "Voters Guide." Click the colored print for the link, then click your county. The candidates for various offices submitted items to the paper and the newspaper put them on their website.