Mr. Secretary

Former U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK) is now Secretary Markwayne Mullin after being confirmed by a vote of 54-45 to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Mullin was nominated to replace Secretary Kristi Noem and his conformation comes amid an ongoing shutdown of the department that is causing many employees to work without pay. This includes TSA officials and is resulting in long security lines at airports across the country. The White House, Congress, and now Secretary Mullin are tasked with negotiating a funding deal to reopen the department.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Secretary Mullin’s confirmation process was heated, in large part because of a personal dispute he has with Sen. Rand Paul (KY), who chairs the committee overseeing Mullin’s consideration. Sen. Paul was the lone Republican to vote against Mullin, while Democrat Senators Martin Heinrich (NM) and John Fetterman (PA) voted for him.

Regardless of your feelings about the Secretary or Senators from either party, you are now tasked with praying they would govern wisely and with humility (1 Tim. 2:1-2; Rom. 13:1-7; Pr. 8:15-16).

This story is also an opportunity to consider how to better love your neighbor. The spat between Sec. Mullin and Sen. Paul stems from a confrontation Sen. Paul had with his neighbor, which is yet another reminder that we humans are naturally inclined toward conflict with those around us. How can you live counter to that inclination this week? How can you show love to those in your immediate vicinity, even in the face of disagreement? It is what the clear command of Jesus requires:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mk. 12:30-31).