Perhaps at a Later Date Mr. President? [From Finger Pointing to Broader Perspective]

{by Taylor Eckel}

The web is buzzing with the latest exchange between the Obama administration and the Republican-lead House of Representatives.

The White House and the House clashed over the timing of President Obama’s upcoming jobs speech that he will deliver to a joint session of Congress. The speech was slated for tomorrow: Wednesday, September 7, at 8 p.m. ET, which directly coincides with the GOP Candidate debate.

House Speaker John Boehner requested that the White House officials change the date, and they acquiesced. The president will now give his speech on September 8 at 7 p.m. ET.

That was the bare bones, unemotional side of the issue. Unfortunately, it was not all that straightforward. Neither side handled the conflict in a mature manner and both engaged in name-calling, blame shifting, and cynicism. A senior House Democratic aide reportedly called Boehner's office "childish" and a Boehner spokesman accused the White House of ignoring centuries of tradition.

Some of us may be tempted to jump on the bandwagon of bashing the party we do not support, while others may become frustrated and discouraged by the infantile discourse. I want to encourage you to look at the issue from a broader perspective.

At this point, there has been so much hype surrounding the situation that it is difficult to sort out who is in the wrong. I believe that both the GOP leaders and the Obama Administration handled the situation poorly. I also believe that the media sources may be partially to blame. Regardless of who is at fault, we can find truth in the situation.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (ESV) In the past few days, several political leaders have eaten the sometimes bitter fruits of their tongues.

In the past few days, how many times have I tasted the rotten fruit of my tongue and wished that I could spit it back out, never to taste it again? How many times have you spoken too soon, or spoken the truth without a loving heart?

When we look at political conflict, let us be sure that we are not walking in the same errors. Use the conflict as a springboard for to examining your own heart. Seek the truth, but never become so focused on an issue that you fail to see the Lord’s perspective.