Published on 05/1/2008

Pity Howard Dean. The Democratic Party Chairman must be frustrated to read this morning's Wall Street Journal and learn that John McCain is running nearly even with his Democratic rivals while only 27% of Americans say they have positive views of the Republican Party. But brand loyalty is a thing of the past. My grandfather drove a Chevy pickup all the years I knew him; my father drove only Fords. My sons have no idea which kind of car they'll drive next. Nor do they really care.

We've been discussing this week the controversy surrounding the Beijing Olympics and the torch. One lesson we learn from China's continued attempts to control the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism is that governments cannot govern the soul. The PRC can name their own Panchen Lama (the second-most important Lama or "teacher"), but the people can (and do) refuse to accept his authority. The government can exile the Dalai Lama, but it cannot silence his voice or stifle his influence.

It has ever been so. Justin the Martyr told his Roman oppressors, "You can kill us, but you cannot harm us." Jesus was blunt on the subject: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). Governments rise and fall, but the God-shaped emptiness in all of us remains and the spiritual quest goes on.

A second fact we learn from the conflict between China and the Dalai Lama is that a single voice can speak louder than a national government. His Holiness considers himself to be a simple Buddhist monk. He has been exiled from his nation and seat of power since 1959, yet we are talking about him today. Can you name China's president? (Hu Jintao). Or his predecessor? (Jiang Zemin--I had to look it up.) I mean no disrespect to the Chinese government; most of us would be equally hard pressed to name Canada's prime minister (Stephen Harper) or Mexico's president (Felipe Calderon). One person can still change the course of human events.

Jesus promised the same influence to his followers: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16). How much light is needed to illumine a dark room? That's how much it takes to make a difference for Jesus where you are. If you will speak for your Lord today, your voice will never die. This is the invitation of God.