The focus of trust
OK, I need to reflect a little on the wave of changes to our political landscape in the last 24 hours.
First of all, will there be that much change? We shift back and forth, expecting one group or another to accomplish things that are desperately needed in our country. When they don't accomplish what they said they would, or what we think they should have (in a short enough time), we replace them. It is really the heart of our political process. We get to decide who is in charge and who we will entrust our well-being as a nation to.
Secondly, it is interesting to me that the number of people from the various camps of voters shifts from time to time. One or two demographic groups standing up and being counted can turn the tide of an election. But what often to seems happen? The groups of people who are content with the way things are tend to trust "their" chosen leaders to continue to do the job. The groups who disagree with the prevailing policies, etc. seem to be emboldened by their sense of need and they get active once again. When we sense the urgency of the moment, we are spurred to take some initiative and to promote the things that we believe will best serve our interests and that of our nation.
I voted first thing yesterday morning, believing it to be my civic responsibility to participate in that manner in our political process. I voted 2 years ago as well and will continue to do so every time the opportunity presents itself. I hope we all would be similarly inclined. But here is my concern for us as believers in Jesus: How often have we let down our guard once there were people in office who seemed more inclined to support the moral convictions that were ours or seemed willing to suggest that their decisions were based on prayer, or whatever the case may be? The fact of people relaxing suggests something to me that I don't particularly like. I think it indicates that we are trusting in men to do what is best for this country. When we like the candidate or the party that is in power, we are happy, and we relax. When we disagree, we step up our efforts to challenge people to vote with us and put in people who will do "what is in the best interest of our nation."
Do we trickle away from a biblical worldview when we do this? Psalm 20:7 says "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Perhaps we might re-word that today to say "some trust in blue and some in red..." Again, please don't misunderstand; you should vote. God has given you the privilege of living in a nation where you get a say as to who will lead you. Participate in that process.
But a political party that leans one way or another with respect to morality or economy or whatever else is significant to you will not accomplish what is most needful for our nation. What we need is to see the Spirit of God move in a powerful way in our individual lives; in our churches, in our communities and then in our nation as lives are transformed by the message of the gospel and the truth of the Word of God.
I want to ramp up my trust in God today and watch what He will do as I serve Him faithfully today. How about you?
First of all, will there be that much change? We shift back and forth, expecting one group or another to accomplish things that are desperately needed in our country. When they don't accomplish what they said they would, or what we think they should have (in a short enough time), we replace them. It is really the heart of our political process. We get to decide who is in charge and who we will entrust our well-being as a nation to.
Secondly, it is interesting to me that the number of people from the various camps of voters shifts from time to time. One or two demographic groups standing up and being counted can turn the tide of an election. But what often to seems happen? The groups of people who are content with the way things are tend to trust "their" chosen leaders to continue to do the job. The groups who disagree with the prevailing policies, etc. seem to be emboldened by their sense of need and they get active once again. When we sense the urgency of the moment, we are spurred to take some initiative and to promote the things that we believe will best serve our interests and that of our nation.
I voted first thing yesterday morning, believing it to be my civic responsibility to participate in that manner in our political process. I voted 2 years ago as well and will continue to do so every time the opportunity presents itself. I hope we all would be similarly inclined. But here is my concern for us as believers in Jesus: How often have we let down our guard once there were people in office who seemed more inclined to support the moral convictions that were ours or seemed willing to suggest that their decisions were based on prayer, or whatever the case may be? The fact of people relaxing suggests something to me that I don't particularly like. I think it indicates that we are trusting in men to do what is best for this country. When we like the candidate or the party that is in power, we are happy, and we relax. When we disagree, we step up our efforts to challenge people to vote with us and put in people who will do "what is in the best interest of our nation."
Do we trickle away from a biblical worldview when we do this? Psalm 20:7 says "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Perhaps we might re-word that today to say "some trust in blue and some in red..." Again, please don't misunderstand; you should vote. God has given you the privilege of living in a nation where you get a say as to who will lead you. Participate in that process.
But a political party that leans one way or another with respect to morality or economy or whatever else is significant to you will not accomplish what is most needful for our nation. What we need is to see the Spirit of God move in a powerful way in our individual lives; in our churches, in our communities and then in our nation as lives are transformed by the message of the gospel and the truth of the Word of God.
I want to ramp up my trust in God today and watch what He will do as I serve Him faithfully today. How about you?
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