Hope pt 2 - Politics

So this is a bit of a follow on to the last post addressing what it is we put our hope in.  Besides money, success, and the opposite sex I would argue that the thing Americans like to put their hope in more than anything else is politics.  It has been something of an anomaly for me to watch people (especially college age kids) simultaneously profess a lack of trust in the political system and a strong desire to change society via the political system. And the more I watch the 24 hour news cycle covering the 2012 election (mistake number 1) the more I realize how many people, democrat, republican and independent alike, put their hope in legislating change that they think will bring about utopia.  Now, I will lay my cards on the table before proceeding.  I am a registered republican, I tend to be conservative in my view of life, and I work at a conservative Christian university.  With that said, let me attempt to upset everyone.

In the last election, President Obama hit a chord with people by preaching hope and change.  And people by the millions believed him and bought into his program.  It was hysteria over a man that I have never seen before (until Tim Tebow became the 13th apostle).  53% of our nation put their hope in Obama to change the system.  And the reality is, the right is no different.  Their hope is just in someone else.  Both sides ignore one glaring issue: No empire, kingdom, or republic is eternal save that of Jesus Christ.  America is going to run its course and end some day.  Might be our lifetime, might not.  But Babylon, Persia, pick your Ming dynasty, Greece, Rome, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, England, all have run their course.  Are we really that arrogant to think we won't also.  And in the meantime, we continue to put our hope in politicians and policies.  Rick Santorum won three primaries and the conservatives rejoiced.  Really?  If Barack Obama wins again this year, slightly more than half our country will rejoice and think that hope and change are still coming.  If he loses, then slightly more than half our country will rejoice and think that hope and change are still coming.  Either way, the other half will prepare for doomsday.  Our hope is in the wrong place people.  By all means, exercise your right to vote.  Vote your conscience.  But vote realizing that no matter what you vote, America will end one day and the Kingdom of Jesus won't.  You are born into the first because your daddy had enough game to catch the eye of your momma.  You are born into the second because your hope is no longer here, but in Jesus.  Stop putting your hope in the government to legislate morality (the right) and provide everything for everyone (the left).