It's worldview time, again.

Interpreting life is a significant personal discipline. It is especially perplexing when culture and society move in so many directions. Navigating the information age, or exponential times, as some experts define it, thrusts us into the new world of velocity, complexity, and anonymity. All of us must make decisions, take actions, lead our families, work, worship, shop, and even play in an overload of information. Our personal values, beliefs, opinions, and point of view are decisive factors at every intersection. They are our worldview, the lens through which we decipher what is happening around us. This basic orientation should inform our vote as well. What we believe must accompany us into the voting booth. And, our worldview should guide us in interpreting the political mess that will surround us until November 3.

So, you may have noticed the candidate advertisements already bombarding our media sources. If we can believe the pundits this may be the most critical election in modern history. What is more, they predict the hype will be louder, more flamboyant, and divisive. Sorting through the claims, promises, accusations, dirt, and political jabs will test us all to some degree. Discerning fact from fiction and truth from fantasy will require advanced levels of understanding and awareness. Let's not forget that we live in the era of fake news. Misinformation can be a most confusing element in our decision making. We must guard against it by being prepared.

Knowing what we believe and value can guide us as we interpret and resist the hype of election 2020. Observing the political parties and candidates is, of course, one important focal point in our election decisions. Knowing where they stand on matters, however, is not the baseline for wise voters. Knowing where we stand is more foundational. And, this year, the issues are numerous and complex, requiring me to consult my worldview in the broadest possible way. This worldview should govern life at very turn---how and where I shop, my entertainment choices, the welfare of my family, my personal money management preferences, the church I attend, the people I embrace, and yes, the vote I cast, to mention a selected few.

It's a critical debate point for me. I've read published articles, social media posts, church bulletins and newsletters, and a few books on the place of faith in politics. Pastors and church leaders are warned often to resist making political comments from the pulpit or influencing their church family with anything remotely political. One well known pulpit-master told his congregation to leave their faith in the car when they went to the polling place. Give me a break! Christian discipleship is about developing the character of Christ in the fellowship of believers. That character is actively lived beyond the walls of the church in every aspect of life, including the voting booth. To leave my faith in the car in any circumstance violates it's meaning for life.

Making decisions is about adhering to the precepts of our personal belief system. We need to know what we believe and apply those beliefs to life at every turn. There are many websites that can assist in discovering our personal values and beliefs. Click here for the Ligonier Ministries worldview summary, an excellent source for brief reference.

Scripture advises faith to be our guide in every life pursuit. Here's a small sample ---

Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should

choose.

Psalm 25: 12, ESV

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my

eye upon you.

Psalm 32: 8, ESV

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3: 6, ESV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with

thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which

surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 6-7, ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God

must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11: 6, ESV

That date is November 3, 2020. It truly is worldview time, again.

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Mayhem getting friskier!

A few weeks ago someone posted what I thought was a humorous picture on social media. It depicted the front cover of Time Magazine announcing their person of the year, a customary event since 1923. The Person of the Year for 2020 was Mayhem, the Allstate Insurance character who mischievously introduces all manner of chaos and disorder into people's lives. Actor Dean Winters plays this role with a comic realism. And, how funny is that, 2020 being remembered as the year of Mayhem?

2020 has been been perplexing in many respects. In my lifetime I can't remember anything like Covid 19 and the many pandemic restrictions that isolated us. The virus and our responses to it have ignited debate in just about every venue of popular opinion. We all have our read on things and social media gives us a platform to air it out. That 4.85 million Americans have tested positive for it, resulting in 159,000 deaths, is a startling reminder of the nearness of tragedy and epic disease. The ripple effect touched us in so many layers, confounding the medical community, government responsibility, economic policy, education, and so many others. There have been shortages---toilet paper, sanitizing supplies, nutritional elements, masks, ventilators, pharmaceutical products, and dozens of other common daily personal needs. Mayhem overruled the supply and demand metrics of 2020. Mayhem indeed! Large scale at that.

He's been up close and personal too. You know---quarantine, long lines, passwords, wi-fi mysteries, grocery shopping, boredom, home schooling, the virtual world, the office on the dining room table, every imaginable mishap, and a long list of inconveniences. There's been plenty of sadness too---hospitalizations with no visitors, death with limited bereavement consolation, and loneliness. Uncertainty still rules most life corridors, even five months later. We're still caught in guessing game snares. That you Mr. Mayhem.

And, then yes, you've noticed, the political season has arrived. You can hardly watch television without the candidate blather promising us the world of dreams if elected. We might as well prepare ourselves for this onslaught because Mr. Mayhem is going to get friskier during August, September, and October. In some ways we expect the fake news and hype that attends elections these days. Remember, these are exponential times and the promotional pizzazz will be fast, complex, and often anonymously tricky. You and I should prepare for it.

We all know the ups and downs of being prepared. Readiness is a value most of us would like to experience at every life crossroads. Yet, there are many unpredictable surprises in our times under the sun. They often catch us off-guard and test our endurance and steadfastness, our ability to react. Still, a glance at the calendar can remind us of actions, events, and circumstances which we can greet with expectant dread. Perhaps election season is one of them. We know it's coming. November 3 is already a focal point of our national ethos.

One aspect of our preparation is simply the knowledge that this election cycle will surround us with political jargon, promises, the leanings of political parties, candidate portrayals, columns of fake news, an admixture of factual truth and distortions, and positioning to influence our vote. The Apostle Paul warned the believers at Colossae---

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to

human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according

to Christ.

Colossians 2: 8, ESV

His words are especially appropriate for those of us viewing life, even elections, through the lens of a Christian worldview. It's pretty strong advice, however, for everyone. Mr. Mayhem is going to play his tricks of us until November 3. Let's be aware that he's coming, and let's buckle up the belt of truth so we an interpret his antics accurately.

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Adjust your compass.

Relational geometry involves, among many other calculations and plotting, adjusting our personal compass to a broader setting. Extending the two points even one notch farther will result in a larger area and therefore greater volume. To enlarge our circle of influence means we have to move beyond the comfort zone of the circle to which we have become accustomed. We must stretch the boundaries to enlarge our influence.

Most of us move within predictable circles. Evangelism professor Oscar Thompson wrote about them years ago in his book Concentric Circles of Concern: Seven Stages of Making Disciples (Nashville: B and H Publishing, published 1981; new edition, 1999). Most reviews conclude that while Dr. Thompson's immediate issue was biblical evangelism and discipleship, the broader topic is human movement and personal relationships. Using the ripple effect of a stone thrown into water as an illustration he revealed a pattern for our personal influence---self, family, relatives, friends, neighbors and associates, acquaintances, and finally, person X at the edges of our world. It was a vivid and fresh rendering of relational geometry, way before the technical whiz and enhancements of life today. He developed a priority system to assist Christians in the mission of influencing the world, you know, salt and light.

The things is, we're living in closed groups with very limited extension beyond them these days. A writer of our persuasion calls our grouping "Baptist bubbles", the safe territory where there's general agreement, little debate, and few new faces. With specific biblical instruction to be in the world but not of it, and to live our lives before unbelievers so that they can see our good deeds and glorify God (see 1 Peter 2:12), there's a good bit of debate about what keeps us circled around the wagons with less influence than perhaps any other time in human history. Can I float a couple of thoughts about why our compasses aren't adjusted outward to broaden our personal geometry and potential? Just a note. These are my observations and not the result of any research or study. The names I've assigned are my own---

1. The intelligent design argument.

You know, intelligent design, the belief that such intricate designs as man and

the cosmos required creation by an intelligent being, really a short-cut

argument bordering on creationism but not so boldly. Here, many believers

confess God the Creator as the one who places us and establishes the

boundaries of our lives. He alone adjusts the parameters of our life compass.

Yes, I believe in God's providential leadership and total sovereignty. But, still,

Joshua told Israel to, "...choose this day whom you will serve..." (Joshua 24:15),

acknowledging man's free will in many life decisions. My personal compass

setting involves decisions I make about the people in my circle.

2. Fear and other dreads.

You can't talk influence without a mention, at the least, of personal witness.

And, for most believers, witness is way outside our zones of comfort. It is

especially true today when Christians are so demonized by pop culture. My

narrow compass settings mean I'm seldom with people who need my witness

or influence. Fear and other dreads keep my compass points right where they

are. But, there are power reminders about this fear and the other emotions

that inhibit us in extending our compass points. The final words Jesus spoke to

the Twelve are one such a reminder: "...I am with you always, to the end of the

age" (Matthew 28:20).

3. Lack of personal preparation

We've taught about infectious churches, developing Gospel conversations,

three circles, and apologetics for two millennia. While most of us believe the

Scriptural commands about influencing our world through bold witness few of

us actually know how. Peter wrote about it---"But in your hearts honor Christ

the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks

you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and

respect" (1 Peter 3:15). The circle of our personal influence will remain minimal

until we know how to extend our compass and provide witness.

4. Preaching to the choir.

There's a subtle temptation for many Spiritual leaders to preach to the choir. By

choir I mean those who are basically in agreement with us and who will affirm,

support, and publish our stances to the people around them. It used to be

called the "amen corner". The lure of this kind of people pleasing can reduce

our influence by limiting the width of our relational compass setting. The

temptation is to keep my circle small and agreeable so I can feel good about

myself and my influence. Paul wrote about this one several times---"For am I

now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I

were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians

1:10). Adjusting the compass setting outward means seeking to influence

those living beyond the choir loft. An interesting study is to review Paul's

ministry and the bold way he spoke to people outside of his natural circle. He

was a Pharisaic Jew but stretched beyond that circle to influence Gentiles,

Pagans, those in Greek philosophy, Epicureans, libertines, and so many others.

5. Common core math.

Bible math is multiplication. Scroll through the Acts of the Apostles to get a

sense of Luke's mathematical acumen and record of the early church extending

from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. After

the day of Pentecost, everything multiplied (see Acts 6:1, 7; 9:31; 12:24, for

example). And, that's the pattern we're supposed to duplicate today, biblical

multiplication.

What is the reach of your personal influence? Is it restricted by narrow compass point settings? Does one of the reasons above explain why you've limited the reach of your personal influence? Hey, it's relational geometry! And, it can only be enlarged as you adjust your compass---outward.

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