A Shulamite Is All About the King

We rarely, if ever, talk about politics or specific social issues on this blog. We rarely touch on them in our podcasts either. And even when we do, it’s not done in the usual way. Have you ever wondered why that is? I know that I certainly did when I first came into contact with Shulamite Ministries. The absence of discussion or comment on politics, abortion, divorce rates, birth control, prayer in schools, gay marriage or any other hot topic was very noticeable to me. Most churches and ministries at least announce their policy with regards to current issues, so why doesn’t Shulamite Ministries?

Shulamite Ministries: A Ministry to Christ

When I first came to Shulamite Ministries, I was wary to the point of open suspicion when it came to all things Christian. I didn’t ask a lot of questions; instead I observed. I watched people interact with each other and I listened to what they said. I was surprised by how much those two things tracked together. Usually what people say and how they behave toward each other are two very different things. That’s not what I found here and it confounded me.

I confess that I’d never encountered any Christians who were so utterly focused on their Namesake: Jesus Christ. He was absolutely central to everything that Shulamite Ministries did and was. Every teaching, book, booklet, prayer meeting, podcast, devotional, article, and conference centered on Jesus. Inner healing, prayer, discipleship, spiritual warfare, Bridal preparation, obedience, surrender, the Cross—every topic was Christ-centric in its presentation. This was a ministry about and FOR Jesus Christ. It was rather shocking to me then. Now, of course, I call it the normal Christian life.

My life is balanced and healthy when Jesus Christ matters most to me. And when I’m rightly related to God, I’m rightly related to the world. The life of a Shulamite is all about the King. Because when I’m all about the King, when Jesus reigns supreme over me, He takes care of everything else.

A Shulamite Follows the King

I’m fearfully and wonderfully human, and so are Martha, John, Carole, and everyone else at Shulamite Ministries. We are as susceptible to the maelstrom of politics and social constructs and moral conundrums as every other human being. But when you set your heart upon the Lord, HE WILL KEEP IT. The next President of the United States only matters to believers insofar as that he is the authority that God has sovereignly placed over us. We are sojourners in this world, aren’t we? The solution to all that ails us will not be found in an election or decided in a court of law or guaranteed by a constitution. Jesus Christ said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” for a reason. His focus was the will of His Father. And if we belong to Him, He will keep our focus there as well.

We didn’t write about Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump because they weren’t what mattered most to us. We battled the fear and hysteria and doubt and turmoil just like everyone else. But by hook and by crook, our Shepherd brought us back to the fold, day by day. We set our hearts on Jesus Christ, and He’s been so very faithful to keep them. The will of the Father is what matters to the King, and what matters to the King is what matters to the Shulamite.

Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).
Matthew 28:18-20 AMPC