From a young age, I’ve been drawn to American politics and political institutions. That interest eventually lead me to study political science in college and student teach in a high school government classroom. My friends and I host State of the Union watch parties. One of our favorite games to play is to determine who the designated survivor is by checking the President’s cabinet as they enter the House Chamber. And if you think that is the most nerdy thing you will hear me say, it’s not. I am such a political nerd (I claim it with pride) that one of my favorite T.V. channels is C-Span. I have been known, on multiple occasions, to stay up into the wee hours of the morning watching congressional hearings. I will sit through hours of testimony and questioning. One of my all-time favorite political events to watch on C-span is the Iowa caucuses. Pure unfiltered access to the messiness and (I think) beauty of American democracy. You are welcome to my place anytime for a C-Span viewing party! (Today the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Administration is meeting to discuss the role of the Election Assistance Commission). Who else is fired up? I’ll supply the popcorn!
Knowing my interest in American politics, my dad gifted me a portrait book titled The West Wing and Beyond by Pete Souza. The name may sound familiar. Most notably, Pete served as the Chief Official White House Photographer for the Obama administration. He was also an Official Photographer for President Reagan. Pete has had extraordinary access to significant events and powerful people. What makes this book unique is that it showcases what is happening on the peripheral of these significant events and what is happening on either side of the powerful people it showcases.
In what other contexts and environments do we focus on the main event, instead of what is happening around it or around us? Probably quite a bit. Like a good illusionist drawing attention away from what is happening behind the scene. What do we miss out on by not paying attention to what is happening on the sidelines? What is happening beyond our central field of vision? Perhaps it is in the peripheral where we will encounter God in new and exciting ways. Perhaps it is in the peripheral where God will lead us to new people to serve or where we may experience God's beauty in a way we have never seen before.
