The Washington Post got to work and found out what is wrong with American democracy right now. They’ve narrowed it down to…

EVERYTHING.

IN this article they list a few things. But, added up, it’s all of it.

Distrust in government. Polarization. Election of presidents. The Electoral College. The Constitution. The Supreme Court. The primary system. The two-party system. Congress.

Yeah… that about covers it.

And here is the thing: with the deep polarization, both extremes would agree with the list! It’s just the thing of WHAT about the list they disagree with…

So, here we are. Living in the midst of deep divide and broken systems. All I can think is this: It’s the human condition. And it’s the deep need to keep looking deeper into our own lives. It is the need to understand there is no perfect system, or even near perfect system.

And then there is the Kingdom of God.

This is the hope to which I cling. Throughout time, even in the Old Testament, in the midst of corrupt and crumbling systems, the people of God have held on to hope. The hope to which I hold on to is the Kingdom of God. The imperfection all around me is disturbing to be sure, but knowing there is a Kingdom to which I can look that is beyond every “ism” out there gives me hope and patience in these times of upheaval.

It’s not just the thought, “Well, history shows everyone has been through something like this.” That’s not hope. That’s just trying to soothe yourself into inaction.

The hope of the Kingdom of God leads me to action. It just isn’t the same as what this current environment would like.

The way of hope. The way of Christ. The way of allegiance to a Kingdom not of this world.

This anchors me.