Once there was a man whose eye was always on the horizon. He cared very much about international and foreign affairs, and was constantly writing his congressman about national issues. He viewed the evening news every night, usually with alarm, and he did whatever he could to involve his friends in this sort of thing.
One time, a friend of his had proven particularly reluctant to participate with him in a march on Washington, and so this man finally decided to ask him about it. “Why don’t you believe that we should be involved in politics?”
But his friend—whose name was Mark—shook his head. “Actually, John, I believe that we need to be far more involved in politics than we are.”
John took a step backwards. “What do you mean? I have asked you to get involved in countless projects, and you always put me off. I guess that is why I am asking for your thinking on this.”
Mark said, not unkindly, “Do you mind if I speak directly? May I?”
John nodded. “Sure. Go ahead.”
“Several times in the last year I have heard your wife joking about leaving you, and waiting to see how long it was before you noticed. And she was joking—mostly. You need to be more politically involved with your wife and kids.”
John stood there for a moment. “I know you are right that I need to be more involved with my family. But how is that political?”
“God takes us from kindergarten to graduate school. He who is faithful over a little will be faithful over much. A man who squanders the few responsibilities he already has will do no better if he manages to get hold of larger responsibilities.”
John quietly asked, “Anything else?”
“Just the same kind of thing,” Mark said. “Your kids are in Covenant Academy, right? Have you ever voted in one of their school board elections?”
John shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”
And Mark continued, “And I know you don’t come to our church’s governmental meetings. The point is really a simple one. We need to clear our plate before we ask for seconds.”
John thought for a moment, and then quietly nodded. “I see what you mean. Thank you.”