A Post-Election Reflection

Like everyone out there, I have some post-election thoughts. I thought it would be a good idea for me to wait a couple days and let my thoughts and some dust settle before posting. With the quickness of receiving information and the ability to offer our thoughts, I/we have a tendency to become reactionary and overly-dramatic. Though I’m grateful that our free elections have not created physical violence, riots and casualties, I am drained by the emotional violence and anger I keep seeing and feeling out there.  With that said, know this post is as much for me as it is for others.

First, I want to address the non-sense that the country is going to hell now as a result of Obama’s reelection – it’s not. We Christians cannot respond spitefully and need to avoid such judgmental and condescending language. Even further, if the country/world is going to hell, this should grieve us, cause us to respond in sincere and humble prayer seeking God’s mercy – not only for us but for all people.

It’s a very telling moment when Jesus is dying on the cross and prays, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This is a time for compassion, kindness, serving the other and preaching the hope of Jesus. Angry words, finger-pointing and other culture-war tactics is the path of disunity and destruction, let the Church be and do better.

Second, when we say, “It’s ok about the election because God is sovereign” or “God is my President/KingIII!”, let’s be sure we mean that in the true sense and again, not in the spiteful or a device of rhetoric. If we are confused on which is true for our hearts, let us ask if we would have posted that if our preferred candidate had won the election. If your choice was Romney and he won and you can’t post that God is on the throne, you may be guilty of placing your faith in mere mortals as opposed to the Sovereign Lord we profess.

Third, I have been blessed by the many who have expressed they will be praying for our President and our leaders. I confess, that I don’t pray enough for our political leaders. I tend to remember to pray for them publicly, but not anymore than our religious leaders/servants and other cultural influencers. And I probably pray more for the latter privately. I’m not really sure what my disconnect is but it may have something to do with my preconceived notions that they are just as important and just as culture-shaping as our political leaders. I know I am supposed to believe that a Senator has more power and influence than Justin Bieber but some days I wonder. In any case, I do need to pray for them, not that they will respond to my agenda but that they would experience God’s goodness and allow themselves to be used by God. I’m grateful to those that have reminded me of this.

So praise God that He is sovereign, these are the days for prayer and to seek unity. But not because of the election but rather because this is what humanity should be doing every day. And may the Church lead by example. May those who are slumbering awake, may those who are apathetic or jaded allow their hearts to be inspired, may those who are angry or bitter be freed. May God bless the US and may He also bless all who inhabit our beautiful and complicated world.

Comments

  1. I completely agree with you on this. We need to always lift our leaders up in prayer. And this is the time for us to come together as one body and life this nation up to God because we can no longer afford to be selfish in our prayers.

Speak Your Mind

*