Poison and hate, disagreement and immorality, blatant lies and unaccepted truths filled our television screens for a year. Election campaigns are always ugly, but 2016 had to have topped the charts!
Most elections result in tidal waves of complaining. It's to be expected. People voted their conscience and/or their dreams . . . and lost. But 2016 finds hate spewing all over the place: protests, posts of 'you hate my kids' on social media, television showing people determined to use all their strength to undo, ruin, and sabotage a majority vote.
Christians banded together to pray. I know God called me to pray at a specific time each day; and sent reminders. For the most part, I obeyed.
I found that, most often, God led me to pray for His people; for us to behave like the Christians we are . . . before the elections and after.
I made a commitment, on social media, to neither whine nor gloat when the final count came in. I've maintained that commitment; and beyond a couple sarcastic comments on my social media site, I believe Christians have done well. I'm proud of the Body of Christ.
But my heart is breaking. We've been labeled with the ugliest words and attitudes, all opposite of compassion, love, righteousness, or wisdom. I'm physically sick and weak.
Several Scriptures come to mind. "Your battle is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities (Ephesians 6)" Satan has taken a severe blow. He's fuming mad! God's people prayed and God answered; God's people are encouraged. We feel religious freedom is preserved a little while longer.
The rest of the nation is stunned. "We didn't see this coming! How did this happen? There is no explanation --" Except God. (What we haven't accepted, though, is that with either way and either candidate, the path will be hard.)
Matthew writes in chapter 10 of enemies being of his own household; of loving family members more than Jesus and thus being unworthy of Him. Can I live that way?
Some of the comments from believers suggest that "we" would never behave so poorly--nor have we-- when the elections didn't go our way. First, please understand that all Christians didn't vote one way; and everyone else the other way; we all voted the way we thought best for our country. Secondly, we're Christ followers. Winners or losers, we should look different!
This morning, two of my devotion books encouraged thankfulness. A friend often encourages me in the same way when I share some overwhelming trial. And so, I close with some things I am thankful for.
I am thankful for tears -- even ones I stuff until I'm in a less public place. God counts our tears. He sees them, acknowledges them, and values them. (Psalm 56:8)
I'm thankful that God placed me in a country where I can vote--where I still have freedoms even though some are a little tarnished. I can read my Bible in a coffee shop, attend the church of my choice, and pray wherever I want.
I'm thankful for prayer answers--a God who hears, is holy, righteous, mighty, compassionate, loving, and who never changes.
I am thankful that God's ways are not my ways (Isaiah 55:8)-- I cannot run a household well, let alone a church, city, state, or nation! (I am thankful for those who can, and more so when they seek God's guidance to do so.) Yet, none of us sees the whole picture with all it's minute parts. Only God -- Only God. His ways are above our ways and we can only be thankful for that.
I'm thankful that, though I've ignored such Scriptures for years--God does warn us in His Word that we will endure trials; some severe ones. "If they hate you, know they hated Me first (John 15:18)." He warns us that those who desire to live godly lives will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). In the U. S., we barely know what persecution is, but that doesn't mean that one day we won't know, first hand. I'm thankful that God will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). He is Emmanuel, God with us/me.
I am ecstatically blessed and thankful for God's Word--that I can possess the entire volume (versus a coveted page or two) without threats to my life. His Word IS that pearl of great price, worthy of selling all else to obtain.
I am thankful for people who are different than me--who sometimes, in great vulnerability, share their hurts; even their anger.
I'm growing.
I'm learning.
Lonnie
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