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Lutheran Life 13 In his book Clearly Christian: Following Jesus in an Age of Confusion, Rev. Trevor Sutton provides a helpful framework for how to get started as an active citizen. Here are three steps: What does the vocation of a citizen of the United States look like? Take Time to Learn. Being an active citizen means being informed. It means living with our eyes and ears open to the cries of our community. Considering the amount of misinformation and biased sources, it also means doing our research and being a critical learner. Recognize where sources are coming from, and seek to discern hidden agendas, misinformation, or biased reporting that can come from either side of the political divide. Learn the facts, listen to the stories, pray for discernment, and allow God to break your heart for the issues that also break His. 1 Know your Scope. We have access to more information now than at any other point in history. It is easy to become overwhelmed. The 24/7 headlines of crises and injustices can be unbearable at times. Narrow your scope so you can dive deeper into learning about specific issues instead of trying to stay informed about every issue. What is going on in your community that ties to your other vocations? Where might there be overlap to get involved in your community that may also benefit neighbors you've identified in your vocational web (see p. 5)? 2 Do Something. Once you've done your research and determined your scope, do something. Living our vocation as citizens puts us in a hands-on, action-oriented posture that seeks to care for those around us. Jump in and do the work of caring for those in your community. Go to the town hall meeting, start a nonprofit, run for office, pray for the needs you see. 3 There are so many ways you can carry out your vocation of citizen. Instead of being immobilized by the sheer weight of needs in your community, choose to dive in where you are and in a way that you can best serve. Regardless of how you serve, remember that we Christians are called to treat people differently. Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. What would it look like for you to start being an active citizen by first praying for those you disagree with most? to start from a posture of seeking to listen and understand another's point of view, even if the person never asks to hear your side. to be an ambassador of Christ's love, even in the hard places. What would it look like to pray for our leaders and trust God's provision working in and through them? May we use these vocational opportunities to trust ever more in our God, the Almighty King and Everlasting Ruler, that He would align our hearts to His and enable us to serve in our communities according to His purposes. Quotation from Clearly Christian: Following Jesus in this Age of Confusion by A. Trevor Sutton, copyright © 2018 A. Trevor Sutton. Used by permission of Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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