THE DAY AFTER
If the world stands, at least a part of this long night of politics at its worst will be over on Tuesday, November 8. I, for one, will be glad. I have never seen such name calling, such bitterness, and such blatant dishonesty--and that has certainly not been limited to just one candidate or party. Sadly, some Christians and even preachers have entered the fray and have used incendiary language I can’t imagine Jesus ever using. Like so many others, I’m over it!
But, what about Wednesday? What about the day after? Though I do not now know for sure who our new president will be, there are some things I do know about the day after the election.
First, the sun will come up, and we will have elected a new president. Some will be elated and others will be despondent. Some may even be surprised. Probably, the results will be doubted and even challenged by some. The “what ifs” and “if onlys” will be debated in social media and on television and radio news programs. Some will say that it is one of the brightest days in American history and others will say it is one of the darkest. And sadly, all the bitterness, name calling, dishonesty will not be over.
Second, I will go about my usual Wednesday activities. I will rise, take my shower, eat a little breakfast, and go to my church office. Among other things, I will prepare to teach my Bible class that evening. At least that is what I usually do, and I look for it to be business as usual. It is not that I don’t understand the significance of what has happened, and it is not that I am unconcerned about the course our nation may take. It is just that I am a citizen of two kingdoms. I am an American, and that’s the reason I honor the flag, pay my taxes, and exercise the right to vote. But, I’m also a Christian. My greater allegiance is to God. I want to make sure that my Christianly shapes my political views and not the other way around. As a Christian, I will continue to pray for my nation and our president--whoever that may be—just as I’ve always done.
Third, God will continue to be the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, and Jesus Christ will still be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No matter who sits in the Oval Office, those things will not change. Therefore, I do not lose heart. Whatever the future holds for our nation, the results will only be temporary. They may touch my life in any of a number of ways, but they cannot touch my soul. God’s kingdom will stand forever, and being a citizen of it has eternal consequences.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body, that it may be conformed to His glorious body . . .” (Phil. 3:20-21).
If the world stands, at least a part of this long night of politics at its worst will be over on Tuesday, November 8. I, for one, will be glad. I have never seen such name calling, such bitterness, and such blatant dishonesty--and that has certainly not been limited to just one candidate or party. Sadly, some Christians and even preachers have entered the fray and have used incendiary language I can’t imagine Jesus ever using. Like so many others, I’m over it!
But, what about Wednesday? What about the day after? Though I do not now know for sure who our new president will be, there are some things I do know about the day after the election.
First, the sun will come up, and we will have elected a new president. Some will be elated and others will be despondent. Some may even be surprised. Probably, the results will be doubted and even challenged by some. The “what ifs” and “if onlys” will be debated in social media and on television and radio news programs. Some will say that it is one of the brightest days in American history and others will say it is one of the darkest. And sadly, all the bitterness, name calling, dishonesty will not be over.
Second, I will go about my usual Wednesday activities. I will rise, take my shower, eat a little breakfast, and go to my church office. Among other things, I will prepare to teach my Bible class that evening. At least that is what I usually do, and I look for it to be business as usual. It is not that I don’t understand the significance of what has happened, and it is not that I am unconcerned about the course our nation may take. It is just that I am a citizen of two kingdoms. I am an American, and that’s the reason I honor the flag, pay my taxes, and exercise the right to vote. But, I’m also a Christian. My greater allegiance is to God. I want to make sure that my Christianly shapes my political views and not the other way around. As a Christian, I will continue to pray for my nation and our president--whoever that may be—just as I’ve always done.
Third, God will continue to be the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, and Jesus Christ will still be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No matter who sits in the Oval Office, those things will not change. Therefore, I do not lose heart. Whatever the future holds for our nation, the results will only be temporary. They may touch my life in any of a number of ways, but they cannot touch my soul. God’s kingdom will stand forever, and being a citizen of it has eternal consequences.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body, that it may be conformed to His glorious body . . .” (Phil. 3:20-21).
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