Getting Political... Hesitantly

It's time. I've avoided it for long enough. I'm ready.

Let me begin by saying that this is not an effort to convince anyone to join a side. Political affiliation is not the issue, per se. Rather it is the desire to consider Biblical truths as a pretext to taking stances on issues deemed political--knowing where I stand and how I should behave in a culture that is inherently political. The issues considered in the political arena are, more often then not, real and important issues before they are political ones adopted by one or more sides of a contest. Deciding what we believe and how we will respond to that belief are more important than determining which team is right or better.

For nearly a year in Chicago, I was confronted with a decidedly liberal, academic-political culture, the substance of which (you may be surprised to hear) was not all bad. (This is where Johnny feels vindicated in considering me a 'closet liberal.' Which I do not believe I am.) However, I feel particularly justified in deciding for myself where I will stand in the matters of politics--particularly as I pursue a field of political science. I have grown up especially conservative in a remarkably conservative state and culture. The opportunity to encounter something different was and is (I believe) a healthy thing. Now that I have returned to Nebraska, I realize that I am now changed for it.

The liberal left, often cited with disdain in these parts as though it were the embodiment of evil, has a lot to offer Christians and the morally conscious among us. No, all of the things considered among the list of the 'liberal platform' are not in agreement with what I believe to be Biblical and of sound moral repute. Consequently, I am still quite certain that conservatives have generally done well in their stances against issues like abortion and homosexuality--though how they have frequently handled and promoted such positions are questionable indeed. But I digress. Where they have missed the mark and where many Midwestern Christians have also fallen short (in my opinion) is their (and by 'their' I also mean 'my') Biblical consideration for where we should stand on many economic, social and international issues. In consideration of these issues I am motivated particularly by a repeated, New Testament exhortation to the Church, to assist those less fortunate than ourselves...

(In an effort to do justice to what I am about to address, I'm afraid I must go for now. I want the time to think and word this well. Where might I be going with this? I appreciate any thoughts so far.)

Sociably Married

Last night we had friends over, many of whom were married, and I was struck by how much this felt like a new phase in my life. Nevermind that in the last month I have been sharing a bed with someone else, constantly consulting that person to make decisions, and repeatedly encountering situations where I have to say no to someone because my time is better served elsewhere and for said other person. But hanging out with other married couples in our home, discussing things that married couples do--weddings, relating to each other, dealing with marriage difficulties, etc.--that was the impetus for my epiphone.

In my mind my life is fairly easily categorized into the social groups I have been surrounded by: Norfolk and its various subdivisions through gradeschool, junior high, and high school; Lincoln and the groups that seemed to subtly change each year as new people were introduced and old ones moved on; Chicago; and now Lincoln again... Lincoln, married. Now I'm starting to relate to people not as just myself, but myself as half of part of a greater whole... and I LOVE that!

I feel it necessary to mention that there are those people in my social circle have spanned many if not all of these social periods in my life, and for them things have not changed too much yet. The history understood between us is not quickly altered.

Overall, I am struck with the sense that this is good. I am where I am supposed to be. God is good. And, in that space of my mind, I am content.

The "Ol' Ball n Chain"

Well, I'm married now. I have three weeks under my belt and so far, so good. The quiet, slow-paced honeymoon in Colorado was just what we needed after a hectic, wedding weekend. And now I enjoy having a wife to come home to... or rather, with whom to come home. Since I totaled my car more than a month ago, Court and I have been driving to work and home together each day. It's actually a great arrangement and really nice to have the same schedule. Doing day-to-day things together is a joy in marriage I've learned to appreciate so far.

However, this is about to change. I am excited to inform you all that I have recently received a promotion. As of November 24th, i will begin as the Full Time, Assistant Supervisor for the branch i used to work for before leaving for Chicago, N. 27th. With this change so will my schedule, leaving me all of two weeks to find another car. But, the raise will be nice and the opportunity to have a supervisory position will help the resume a bit. This position will require a lot more training and work, but it will be good for me.

That said, this does not mean I've abandoned aspirations of research and a future in political science. I'm still doing research for a political science professor, Dr. Ari Kohen at UNL. We're planning to present our publication at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago, April 2nd-5th. The opportunity to do research and potentially contribute to a publication is huge for me. We're working on post-genocide Rwanda. I'm currently developing a theoretical distinction between political and personal reconciliation... and the greater necessity of the former for rebuilding Rwanda. There's a lot to do, but I'm enjoying the process.

Well, that should catch us up a bit. Hopefully the next post will come again soon. I'm also hoping for this to be less of a "this is what's going on in my life" type of blog but there usually seems to be so much to catch you all up on that I can't help it. Here's to more thoughtful, clever and eloquent future entries. Cheers.