Today is voting day in America.
Whose America is it? Which side is going to win?
I cannot remember a time when the political divide, or the constituency it represented, has been this wide…each ideology absolutely disgusted with the other to the extent that families and friendships are splintered along party lines, venom is being spewed in multi-million-dollar campaign smears, and positions are being fortified against the enemies among us. It seems that we’re practically at war with each other…and there’s festering hatred on both sides. It’s embarrassing and demoralizing.
As a citizen of this country, who believes in the democratic process, I have cast my ballot. It represents my wishes, which will be added to the thousands of others from my area, millions from my state, and hundreds of millions from my countrymen from coast to coast. Whatever the results, I will keep on living my life as I did yesterday, with tremendous hope. I certainly have opinions and preferences, but my greatest hopes are not captivated by this maelstrom of vitriolic posturing and promising.
There is another Kingdom that I am a citizen of, whose allegiance I am delighted to be ultimately bound to. Whether my preferred candidates win or lose today, those Kingdom values are unchanged, and my hopes pursuant to that Kingdom are unaffected. There is a higher level of HOPE, which that Kingdom animates through its people, which covers-over any other lesser-hopes that this world contains. The foundation of TRUE HOPE does not provide a promise that things will work out in my life, or on earth, as I would like them to be; on the contrary, scripture is clear that as time advances the opposite will be true…but that His Kingdom of Heaven will continue to break-through in spite of it all in the lives of countless individuals.
A good look into the earthly life, teachings, and way of Jesus is like a glimpse through the prism of that other Kingdom. It’s certainly supposed to affect us here and now, and through us to elicit transformation to that Kingdom’s values; but we make a grave mistake when we hijack that calling and attempt to divert it to self-seeking socio/political destinations. That’s not what Jesus was interested in then, and His followers are not to be focused upon it now. When we do, it makes a mockery of the Gospel and the transcendent hope that it promises. It’s never been about “heavenizing” our own preferences or agendas for society, but about surrendering them in favor of our Creator’s Mission for the individuals and the world around each of us. Anything other than that is heretical trickery, and countless misguided Christians are falling for it!
You who call yourself by the name of Jesus, or endeavor in some way to follow Him; I appeal to you to rise above the hype and name-calling and fears of loss, and regain a sense of compass toward “true north!” Your political opponents are not your adversaries, there is only one adversary…and even if they were, how about we treat them with the level of respect that Jesus treated His enemies? As we aim to live as good citizens of our country, and make our own lives matter for good, let’s cling to the HOPE that will never be shaken…and avoid being carried-away by lesser, false hopes.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
(Psalm 42:5)
“Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then, even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king….For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ sufferedfor you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2)
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
(Old Hymn: “The Solid Rock”)
One reply on “False Hope (Voting Day)”
I appreciate your reminder, Shawn. We are only aliens living here in earthly tents until we are called to our heavenly home. But as aliens, we are to be responsible tenants, taking care of this earth and all God has placed in it. Part of that responsibility is to be part of the great republic we have been blessed to be part of, which includes participating in the right, privilege and honor of being able to cast votes for our political leaders. Often, it is hard to decide who to vote for, or even if to vote at all, with all the negative ads and less than ideal candidates. But, in the end, God allows those elected to be in that position for His ultimate purpose. So we pray and ask God to appoint the person(s) that will best do that. With one foot still here on earth and the rest of me reaching toward home, I still participate and vote for the ones I wish will make my temporary home more civil for me and all generations to follow until we are called homeward. Yes, my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness! Have a great day!