Soul Politics
By Dr. Chris Surber
In a day of devilish divide, the Bible still has a lesson for heavenly healing. Get elevated into the realm of soul politics! Politics is a loaded word, but in its rawest form, the word basically describes the methods and processes by which a group of people govern themselves. While the politics of the world tend to devolve into divide, the politics of God are connection, construction, and confidence. Soul politics, as I would describe them, have at least these three guiding components. They offer us a scaffolding for the work of renovating our perspective.
God created us for connection. Through prayer, we can connect to God. Through mutual encouragement, as we do God’s work in the world together, we can be connected to one another. “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT)
Regardless of race and irrespective of ideology, when we encourage our neighbor in the direction of connection, our politics have the potential for increased positivity.
God created us for construction. Construction is an interesting concept in the Bible. In perhaps the most notable mention of construction, we find God scattering people in Genesis 11 as a consequence of a construction project. The problem with the project was the people’s pride! God wanted worship. They want to exalt themselves. In another instance, we see Jesus using the death of workers in a construction accident, not an example of judgment but as a call to the brevity of life. Today is the day to open our hearts to God’s love. We don’t know what is coming tomorrow.
The construction I’m speaking of isn’t about building buildings of accomplishment or construction accidents that remind us to count the preciousness of every breath. While these are important spiritual ideas, I’m talking more about constructing community. My friend, anyway we lean in the shifting sands of thinking on in this ever-changing world, the power of constructing community, of mutual elevation, is an ever-present reality. Power principles of soul politics would have us always with hammers in hands constructing community!
If you are spiritually minded, become awake in heavenly ways! Working together is the only way our spirits will have the collaborative effect of elevating life. With so much to depress and divide, let’s be the kind of people bent in the direction of constructing connected community in order to elevate one another to a place of confidence! They say in Haiti, “Men anpil, Chay pa lou!” Many hands make the load light!
Surround yourself with a few people who celebrate lifting you up. In turn, lift them up. Together we can nurture soul politics. Together we can pour the water of life on the flower of love and watch it grow. “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:11 NLT)
Dr. Chris Surber is Senior Minister at Mt Hope Congregational Church in Livonia, MI. He is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Supply and Multiply in Montrouis, Haiti. Visit him online at www.chrissurber.com
[Attached Photos: I captured these image of this mural which are on an empty building at Grand River Avenue & Lahser Roads in Northwest Detroit, July 21, 2020.]
