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So, the polls are
in and we have a winner. I imagine a collective sigh came over many
in the South (and according to the popular vote, much of the rest of the
nation) as the news was broadcast. Immediately people took to
Facebook and all of their social media outlets to vent their
frustrations. Friends began fighting as hatred poured from their
keyboards like fire from a dragon's mouth. I saw best friendships
turned upside down in an effort to maintain political footing and to
be.... right? The only problem is- we all went to bed yesterday and
we all woke up today... and nothing changed.
President Obama is
still the President. And, newsflash- he will be for the next four years. All of the political rants and fighting did nothing to change that. All of the crude jokes and rude humor did nothing except prove to non-believers that we, "Christians" are, in reality, a bunch of prideful, arrogant "haters".
And so now, what about
those friendships? Those who were excited about Obama's re-election
still woke up excited. And those who went to bed angry likely woke
up with a hatred hangover- mad at the world for making them stay up too
late to wait on results, and mad at their fren-emies who should have
sided with them... right?
Either outcome
would have yielded a passionate response, but what I saw last night was
beyond passionate- it was pride, riding the glory train. It was
fear, manifested in anger and bitterness, and it was jealousy flying
across the computer screens faster than I could have typed it (and I'm
pretty fast, just FYI).
I found myself
caught up in the mix- accidentally posting one opinion. Then while
trying to avoid political posts, I turned to scripture, hoping to
find a little truth on what God has to say about the matter.
Here is one of the
first verses I stumbled across:
"The purpose
of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that
comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some
people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these
things and spend their time in meaningless discussions..." 1 Timothy
1
And this one:
"He controls
the course of the world events; He removes kings & sets up other
kings. He gives wisdom to the wise & knowledge to the
scholars" Daniel 2:21
And this one was my favorite:
1 Timothy 2:
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help
them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this
way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful
and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity."
But the most influential thing I read about the election
didn't come across as a Facebook Status. And while the scriptures I found
were extremely convicting and challenging, this one thing absolutely
spoke truth and inspired me- so, of course, I'm sharing it here.
Please take a moment to read this. It's a message from my
pastor who is, perhaps, one of the wisest men I know.
Thanks for reading!
The Real Life Mom
(For more information on Pastor Jeff Wells, or on the church I call home, please visit www.woodsedge.org)
Pastor Jeff Wells, on the election:
Dear WoodsEdge
Family,
The overwhelming
majority of people in our community, and the overwhelming majority of our
congregation, are disappointed, deeply, by the results of the
Presidential Election last night. How should we as Christ-followers
process this frustration? Here are a few thoughts:
1. We are
unshaken because God is unshaken.
The real King does
not reside in Washington. He does not work on Capitol Hill. In fact, he
is not of this world.
The real King is
the crucified and risen Savior, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the
eternal Word made flesh, who is coming again, not on a donkey or on an
elephant, but on a white horse. He is not worried.
2. Government
is important but not all-important.
Yes, we are
responsible to vote and pray, to be salt and light in our culture. We are
called to stand against evil and injustice. Important issues are at
stake. We agree with Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for evil
to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
That said, we also
realize that the ultimate answers are not political or economic,
educational or legislative. They are spiritual. They are found in Jesus Christ alone.
Nothing short of widespread revival will turn our country around. We need
a fresh movement of the Spirit on our land.
I remind you: We
have had evangelical Presidents before (which Mitt Romney is not). Men
such as Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush. And yet we still have
lots of abortions, enormous debt, overwhelming problems.
The U.S. President
has power but the power is limited. Only the power of God will bring a
breakthrough.
3. Do not let
disappointment become anger or bitterness.
Jesus opposed
injustice and evil, because he hated sin. But he loved sinners.
Sinners of all stripes and flavors.
Our problem: We
love sin and hate sinners. We hate (though we may not use this word)
people who believe differently than we do.
Yet we are called
to love. To love all people, even our enemies. In fact, if we don't have
love, we have nothing at all (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
May it no longer be
that Christ-followers in the U.S. are known as self-righteous,
condescending and judgmental. May we be known for our hearts of love! May
we be known for our humble, grateful, joyful love.
4. See the
big picture.
During World War
II, C.S. Lewis pointed out that there was a benefit to war: People are
more likely to think about death and their need for God.
That is true of a
society in disarray and rebellion. We don't want such a
society. But that's what we have and the advantage to it is that we'll be
less likely to rely upon ourselves and our government, and more likely to
recognize our desperate need for God.
A land in sin and
rebellion is a land in many ways more ripe for revival. After all, the
Roman government of the first century, and the Chinese government of the
20th century, were even more rebellious, more hostile to God, than our
own government today. And both of these countries, ancient Rome and
modern China, saw widespread revival.
"The blood of
the martyrs is the seed of the church." We don't want persecution.
But there are worse things.
5. Pray for
your President.
The Bible is
clear: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for
kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and
quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Timothy
2:1-2). As Christians, our basic governmental responsibility is to pray
for our leaders, good or bad. After all, when Paul wrote this, who was
king? It was Nero, a man who would later have Paul beheaded.
Church, you may be
greatly disappointed. That's OK. But do not be shaken. We've seen the end
of the story: Jesus Christ wins! Take joy! Trust the Lord! Pursue him,
and your neighbor, with grateful love!
With much love,
Jeff
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