My Nanny used to say, “There are two things I won’t discuss and that’s politics and religion”. Then she would proceed to give you her unwavering opinion regarding each topic. She lived through World War II, The Great Depression, Vietnam, and every current Middle Eastern conflict throughout her near 100 years on this Earth, so she was very much entitled to those opinions. I will happily chat religion but politics is one I make an effort to leave off the table. For one, I tend to run from conflict and two, it always seems both sides are flawed. Maybe never in history has the flaw in both sides been as apparent as in the current election we find ourselves.
While the fleshy part of me wants to make poor jokes and share social media memes featuring our current candidates and the phrase “Straight Outta Options”, I digress and look to the spiritual side. I judge I would not want to have either of these people in my house for dinner, let alone running our country, but the Holy Spirit reminds me of our call as Christians.
Jesus ate with tax collectors and forgave a criminal who hung beside him on a cross. He washed the feet of those who served him and gave his life for those who didn’t even realize they needed salvation. We’re called to pray for and respect our leaders, no matter who they are.
To look to one of our candidates as the only answer, is giving them more power than any human possesses. To turn our backs on our candidates is to deny God’s ability to work in and through the least of these. We must assume, God, in his infinite power and wisdom will work all things for good and His glory no matter who sits in the White House. That is, if we pray. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) Because His word never returns void, we can know these words are true even for our current generation.
If we claim to love Christ then we must love others. One of the greatest ways we can demonstrate our love is through prayer. As a child of God, I am urged to prayer rather than partition. I am called to serve rather than slander. I am led to disciple rather than dispute. May the revival of nations begin in me and you. Amen.
Isaiah 55:11, John 13:34, 1 Timothy 2:1-3