On Walking Away

Officially, the older Miliband is taking time out to recharge after a rollercoaster campaign. Scepticism about David's choice has already led many to speculate over his motivations: bitter jealousy, bruised pride, crushed ambition. Should the crowd shout 'deserter' or is it a shrewd move, leaving the stage to prevent any further development of press-induced hype surrounding the Milibands' political differences and familial ties, giving David a chance to nurse his wounds and perhaps even plot a timely return?

But this is not the only means of understanding his decision. Rather than hang around to be instrumental in causing the fissures in Labour to widen, deepen and take hold, David is giving up his career to allow Ed to shape the next generation of the party. It's worth remembering that, aside from being brothers, these men have grown up in politics either side of the Blair/Brown divide, holding very different opinions on the deficit, foreign policy and business. Deciding to turn away from influencing the party now is no easy road.

And sometimes there is deep merit in admitting defeat and losing graciously. Actually, giving up personal agendas for the sake of the wellbeing of the whole is part and parcel of everyday relationships, maybe not high-flying political stakes, but in business relationships, family, church and friendships. Sometimes resignation, walking away from the fight, is the best course of action in promoting unity.

In a culture which privileges success at any cost, it can be crushingly difficult to be humble and live lives that refuse to groan or rebel under strained relationships. Ironically, it is because we have real purpose in Christ that we are sometimes called to fail in a 'worldly' sense. The important thing is to be prayerful and discerning in our decision making, acting out Christian discipleship before chasing private ambition in the boardroom, sitting room or church hall. The art of discipleship is sacrificing self-interest for the sake of others, following Jesus' pattern of humility, which stretched to death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-11).

Time will tell whether David has beaten a gracious but heartbroken retreat to save Labour from disintegration, or made a shrewd career move; we should be challenged to consider whether we would lay down as much for the sake of so much more - eternal life.

 

Author: Nigel Hoppe