The 2016 Election–what if we are missing the point!
What if it’s not about an election at all? What if it’s about something entirely different and Christians are dangerously close to missing the point?
Just hear me out, this is not to tell you who to vote for… simply, to say before you do anything on Election Day, just give this some prayerful consideration.
Try to pull back a bit, okay—- waaaay back. Further still. Try and look at this from a heavenly perspective, an eternal perspective.
On Election Day, as on every other, children will still be born, people will still die … people will still be abused and oppressed, nations are still waiting on the Gospel to be brought to them, someone will lose their fortune, someone will find it … and on we march towards eternity.
If you are God, the election is an important event … but not THE most important. We are just people (only 5% of the world’s population,) in A country, at THIS point in history and time, participating in a system that we have established. And, while it is vitally important to us, to our children, and even to the world, from the perspective of an omnipresent, omniscient, eternal God- there are things He cares about more … like your heart … like Trump’s heart … like Hillary’s heart … where they will spend eternity …where you will spend eternity … the lost who sit in darkness, still … the condition of His Bride.
He cares more about how we defend His Name, than how we defend a man’s. He is more concerned with how we bring our lives into agreement with His Word, than a platform. He is more concerned with our choice of Lord, than our choice of leader.
If you are God, this is not about an election … it is about using an election to drive your people to their knees, so that we may be what the world needs them to be to make Jesus Christ known. And, we are dangerously close to missing it.
This could not be better written in Hollywood, in Greek tragedies, or in English literature. God has ordained the exact things through politics, culture, etc … things we love, things we value … things we may even worship, things to make us uncomfortable, to make us wrestle with our identities, loyalties, priorities and even each other.
Regardless, of what party you claim, I don’t see how anyone, but especially believers, could have emerged from this year without seeing that every system can be degraded, every person can be corrupted, every group can be distracted … every sacred thing, defiled. We have been confronted with our finite wisdom, finite power, and finite perspective … until we have nothing left to cling to … not state, not self, not ability, not opportunity. There is no party true enough, no policy broad enough, to do all that we have asked of either one.
And, this is exactly what God wanted.
In our wrestling and writhing, we’ve miraculously ended up in the last place we wanted to be, and the only place He wanted us to be: Utterly helpless! Desperate! Searching!
That should be comforting to know. You’re here friend, and He is glad you are. You arrived at your divine destination. Welcome to the exact combination of confusion, clarity, and choices to make us realize that the only good choice is Him.
For too long, we have put the heavy weight of meeting every need, providing for our want, our protection, our wisdom, our direction, our morality, our trust, hope, satisfaction, equality, and even joy … on the fragile and feeble shoulders of men and their “stuff.”
All men ultimately break, when asked to carry His royal mantle. These things that are a burden to men, are a blessing to a Father, and He provides out of love and mercy, not manipulation.
We have to stop wringing our hands over a man, and start lifting them to our God. We have mere days to bow low … lower than we ever have … and begin the hard work of confession. Confess that we put our hope in other things, and in people to save us. Confess that we are more likely to call each other names, than to call upon His. Confess that we long for control, more than compassion. There should be confession, that though we are loved by a God, who is faithful, all of this has revealed us to be mostly fearful … so fearful that we will excuse or justify anything that promises security … a security that is His and His alone to give … confession that we distrust Hillary, more than we trust Him..
There has to be some serious confession over Hillary, and here is why: acting as though her brand of evil requires anything and everything on earth to contain it, fails to acknowledge God’s power, plan or sovereignty.
We have started to sound like Jonah in regards to Hillary; telling God how evil she is and how nothing can be done to change her … how we have to do what we have to do to win. Is she worse than the ancient Assyrians? They cut off the noses and hands of their enemy, invented crucifixion, and covered their city walls with their enemy’s skin. She’s not so special.
We have become so convoluted in our logic! She is a superior foe that cannot be stopped, except by an inferior adversary? Even the dreaded and barbaric Assyrians bowed before Almighty God and repented.
I am not disputing her willingness to use evil or do harm. I am disputing whether or not the church believes our God can overcome it.
Why do we believe He is able to cure Trump’s shameful character, but can’t bring light to her dark heart? Either He is God or He is not.
There needs to be confession about our view of the Supreme Court. It is a group of fallible humans that we have given authority to. No more, or less. It is not automatically an extension of God’s hand. If it was, we wouldn’t have abortion. Seriously, pretend your reading this from the Bible: “the people chose to be led by _____, because they wanted the court they called “supreme” to ____.” You can’t make this stuff up. How does this sound to His Sovereign ear?
He can turn the world upside down in an instant, change every possible factor, and answer with unseen solutions. He is God and is neither worried about Hillary, nor impressed by Donald. But, He loves them both, and can use either one for His glory, whether they seek His glory or not.
We need to quit debating which inferior, which is superior, and start surrendering to the One who is ultimately, Supreme.
You have more power on your knees before God for the next election, than you will ever have standing in a voting booth on the one.
I could respect any decision that was thoroughly prayed over and walked out in obedience, regardless of whether I agree with it. But, my respect or anyone’s, should concern you none.
Church, look up! This scene is about your refinement, humility, and willingness to pray and trust. The election is just the setting for it. Stop looking for solutions of flesh to solve wars of spirit. This requires more than winning a presidency. It requires winning against principalities. There is no man ON EARTH worthy to command the army required for such things. No man ON EARTH will claim this victory for himself. But, mark my word, for it’s found in His word. WE WILL BE LED. THIS WILL BE WON.
