Before I begin, I want to assure you that this is not really a political post. I'm not intending to justify my vote or condemn someone else's. My purpose in writing this is to remind believers of how Christians ought to view and react to any election. With all the negativity we've seen this week, I certainly don't want to add more. I simply want to be an encouragement.
Elections can be divisive. I've witnessed it on many different levels. Emotions get charged up, feelings get hurt, winners can be boastful, and losers can be angered. Christians should have a brighter outlook on these events than anyone else - regardless of which candidate they picked. We have several things that set us apart.
First, we have a heavenly focus, not an earthly one. Sometimes it's hard to remember that as we struggle through the day to day life, as we get wrapped up in current events. But we're simply sojourners on this earth. Everything here is temporary, but one day we'll be in a perfect home with a perfect king forever. Philippians 3:20 says, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," Regardless of how you feel about the current political situation, this is the true focus we should have. Our citizenship is in heaven. Whatever happens here is fleeting.
Second, God is sovereign. I get so tired of Christians acting like God fell asleep while events were happening on earth, like He woke up and was surprised by what had happened. When things are good, He is in control and when things are bad - He is still in control. This is especially true in politics. No matter who is in the White House, it's because God put them there. Daniel 2:21 says, "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;" Daniel wrote these things while he was in exile. He was living under kings who were far from godly. He could have easily said, "They're not my king." Instead, he served under them loyally, but with the understanding that his first loyalty was to God. How could he do this? Because he understood that it was God who establishes kings and it's God who takes them down. We are one nation under God, but it's not just us. Every nation in the world is one nation under God - whether they acknowledge it or not.
Third, God tells us to honor those in authority over us. 1 Peter 2:21 says, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." I just finished a study on 1 Peter and I was reminded that the emperor at the time this was written was Nero. He was a vicious emperor who did cruel things to Christians. Yet they were told to honor him. They didn't have to like what he did or agree with it, but they had to respect his position. Why? Because God put him there.
Fourth, we are to pray for those who lead. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "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." Have you ever prayed for someone who you really had a problem with? I mean, they just made you so angry, hurt you so badly, yet you prayed for them anyway. I have. I found that when I'm lifting them up to God, the issues take on a new look. First, God usually shows me where I need to change. Second, when I put them in His hands, I no longer have to concern myself with them. Third, it reminds me of Who is in control. The same goes for our leaders. If we have a problem with them, prayer keeps our focus on where it ought to be. But more than that, our leaders are constantly under attack. They have to make weighty decisions everyday! We need to pray for them daily.
Fifth, we need to be the light in the darkness. It has saddened me to see the amount of darkness in social media and across the country this week. So much anger and hatred. We don't have to be that way. In fact, we shouldn't be that way! In all that darkness, our words should be a ray of light. Ephesians 5:8 says, "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" Whether our candidate won or lost, our words (whether spoken or typed) should be a reflection of Christ. I think social media has calloused us to the effects that our words have on people. We don't have to see the shock, the hurt, the tears that they cause, so we feel free to say whatever we feel like. But our tongue is a fire that can cause so much damage (James 3). We have to allow the Spirit to control what we say. As the world screams hatred and brings darkness over us, we should be the light that draws people to Christ. Our words should be chosen to make people want to know more about Him, instead of being repelled from Him. Our posts on social media should be designed to point people towards the Light of the World instead of pushing them towards the prince of darkness.
No matter if you're overjoyed by the results this week or overcome with disappointment, we have a hope that transcends anything on this earth. We should see these events in a completely different light than anyone else. Our reaction should be so different from the world that they can't help but take notice. They should see us as reflectors of His Light.
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