As we know the 2016 Presidential election results are in. Although many seemed to be sure of a landslide win, that idea did not come to reality. Furthermore, offerings framed with predictions of the upcoming days have been abundant. That being said we would be wise to remove ourselves from the discussion of how close the popular vote may or may not turn out. We’ll leave the final tally to our current diviners and our vote counters. What has become obvious is we are a nation divided in half. That fact is easily observed by simply digesting our local news and social media reports. Thankfully with time the majority of the election hype will pass or at least change course. In this time of division we Christians need to take inventory of our own Houses of Worship.
With our nation divided in half how can our Houses of Worship not be divided? The fact of the matter is we are divided! Unfortunately and all too often we in the Christian community are quick to qualify our positions to the “other half.” We suggest that everything is going to be okay. Subsequently people around us and even next to us in the pew are people/friends that are hurting. Hurting badly! Our response? Explaining and justifying how everything is going to be hunky dory and will work just fine. The “You’ll see” answer need not be the norm. We must stop for a moment and hear the cry of the hurting. That’s exactly what Jesus would have us do. The hurting folks around us have several realistic concerns.
Naturally we had a choice at the voting box. First of all our president elect is a pull no punches in your face kind of a guy. His actions are far from the words of Jesus’ teaching relating us to be kind to one another. That in your face persona appealed heartily to millions of voting Americans. Additionally that appeal has been justified by many indeed. That posture does not offer relief to the hurting. The hurting among us are not only hurting but many are afraid. Whether we agree with this side or that side we are a House divided. Our alternative candidate choice? Just as horrific. A career politician who is very pro abortion. She operates under the fantasy that despite the fact that the Bible says life begins at conception, she believes a woman should have an abortion anytime she feels the urge to do so. Certainly we must agree we had some very poor choices this past election. So what do we do? Blame the candidates? Of course not. We lay the blame squarely where it belongs; on us the voting public. Hopefully by now we on both sides of the aisle can manage some sort of mutual agreement…Good. Where do we go from here?
First, we must collectively humble ourselves and turn from our shortcomings and our sin. We must repent and ask God for His forgiveness. Yes these two candidates were our only choices. In our minds all of us certainly qualified and voted for the lesser of the two evils. We voted for the person we considered best for our nation. Yet the fact still remains we must to ask for forgiveness from Lord. Why would we do that? Simply, and secondly we must ask, “Are we a nation bold enough to consider both our previous candidates as reflections of our own selves?” Our previous candidates represent the self centered men and women who we’ve become. A nation that has forgotten God and His desires. Can we face the fact that we have elevated men and women who have placed compromise far above the will of God. Or do we just talk a good game as we serve turkey slices and yams to our homeless wanderers?
In conclusion and during every Christmas season we are reminded that Jesus Christ, God the Son, took on the form of a baby and was born in Bethlehem. Amazingly Jesus was spared the late term abortion initiative proclaimed by the bombastic King Herod. As time passed Jesus grew from a baby into a man. He then qualified the glorious proclamations of the heavenly realm letting the world know that He, Jesus Christ the Son of God, came to save humankind from ourselves. Joyfully Jesus fulfilled the foretelling of the future written in Isaiah 9:6, Unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Savior is given. The government shall be upon His shoulders. To the glory of the Father.
As the 2016 elections pass and 2017 reveals herself, let us all take a moment and reflect on the goodness of God. As we do, then and only then will we be able to listen and hear His still, small, clear voice saying, “My peace I give to you.” As we do so let us apply the same exact listening discipline to our fellow believer. In doing so we will become that comforting Spirit filled friend to our hurting church family and friends.
As Born Again believers let’s not find it surprising to be at constant battle with the world around us, our own flesh, and the devil himself. Be reminded of that fact and let us purpose in our hearts to reach out to one another. Then and only then will they know we are Christians by our love.
Merry Christmas. Noel come see what God has done.
Pastor G