Separate from the World

For all of us living in the US, we know what 2012 is without needing to even read a newspaper, listen to the radio or watch the tv.  It's election year.  Most of us could hear about this just from being in the store with others, so many people are already set in their minds of who is the "best one for the job" and nothing really hasn't been decided yet.  Although many of us will read something in a newspaper or even possibly hear something on the radio. 

I, personally, have found people are so hot in debate about this election already, and cannot wait to share their thoughts with others.  So my question to you, how do you view the election?  Do you get involved in politics in any way or do you completely remove yourself from it?

I try to remove myself from it and pray that God will put the person in office whom He wants there.  Unfortunately, not everyone understands that nor will they let the conversation go at that.  I've been told that nobody should be allowed to "get away" with not voting and even been told by a gentleman that he will personally pick me up to get me to the polls in order to vote. 

I want to tell people to just let me be to live with my own convictions but since most of the these situations come up at work, I don't think I ought to.  I simply smile and say ok, have a good day! 

I know as Christians we are supposed to live a "separate life" but I wonder how some of you do it?  How do you define separate?  Do you try to explain to people your convictions or do you just let it go?  (To be clear, I am in no way trying to start a political debate with this post.)

Blessings in Christ,

Safety vs. Worldly

I enjoy reading the Amish America blog every once in a while. Today when I opened up the website, there was an article on the "low" (Swartzentrubber and Troyer) Amish in Kentucky in courts with the state over the SMV triangle. (You can find the article here.)

Living in a large Amish community with all types of Amish (Swartzentrubber to New New Order) I find that the buggies with reflective SMV triangles are easier to spot at night. The buggies of New New, New and some Old Order Amish also tend to have blinking lights attached to them and some even put reflective ankle bands on their horses' legs. I appreciate what they do to try to keep the buggy's occupants safe as well as me. I do not want to get into an accident with a buggy, but living where I do, I don't suppose it would be that hard to. I've had several close calls at night (despite my use of extreme caution at each turn in the road and crest of the hill), all of them with the buggies in the lower groups unfortunately.

I try to understand where the lower Amish are coming from in their beliefs that the SMV is too worldly (both in color and size) as well as "altering God's Will", but I struggle with why safety of others on the road appears to not be important.

I have some Old Order Amish friends and although they maintain they do not want to judge the lower Amish's beliefs, they agree with most of the locals that it is a safety issue and it would help them to be seen and reduce the number of buggy accidents.

I wonder where Romans 13:1-7 would come into consideration in this matter. The Bible tells us that we need to obey the rulers (the government) because they are put into position by God and that those of us who resist the rulers also resist God. I know our country is founded on the principle of religious freedom, but where does safety for all involved come in? Our government not only has the challenge of making sure appropriate safety measures are put into place as well as respecting each religous group's beliefs. I would imagine this is an extremely difficult task.

That being said, I do my very best to not judge the decisions made by these groups and I pray that their leaders have sought out God's help in their decisions on matters like these that not only affect their group of people, but also everyone else on the road.

What are your thougths on the safety versus worldly topic? Where should the line be drawn?

Blessings in Christ,