The Elections Are Over, Now What?

Now that the election is over, there are perhaps many kinds of feelings and moods among the populace. For some, there is a sense of elation & euphoria if they voted for the winners: “America has never been greater and our leader will fix all things and can do no wrong!” For others, who voted for the other candidates, there may be a sense of gloom & doom: “I fear for the end of America and I’m afraid our leader will compound problems and won’t do anything right!” Still others may have a great, weary indifference and apathy born out of a long election cycle, ceaseless advertising, and bothersome phone and mail campaigning. Some would even claim to be numbed by what they perceive to be years of cynicism towards scandals, disappointments, hypocrisy, unmet promises and expectations over the last several years.
Regardless of your post-election mood (and many of us are just glad it’s over for 2 years!), I am very thankful when I remind myself from Scripture that God is sovereign over all nations and that He is always in control, always on the job, working “all things together for good for those who love the Lord, and are called accord-ing to His purpose.” (Rom.8:28-29). I am also very thankful that in America, we can change our leaders peacefully every 2, 4, or 6 years, depending on which branch of government wherein they serve. As of yet, we do not have a dictator, nor do we have the bloody coup attempts or frequent civil wars that have plagued so many nations throughout history, right too this very day. For all of our national flaws and mistakes, I think that we are still the greatest nation on earth and that our Founders and our Constitution got it right! As I wrote last month, our responsibility and diligence to keep the Republic is needed more today than ever.
As Christians, we have a higher standard to live by than mere nationalistic and patriotic pride. God’s Kingdom is far larger and encompasses all time, nations, and history! God’s Word, the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, rule for our faith and conduct in all matters. As for me and my house, our allegiance is firstly to Jesus Christ and our citizenship in His Kingdom of Heaven is paramount, and then comes my great love for the U.S.A. I still live by the oath I made upon being sworn in as a soldier & officer in the U.S. Army to protect and defend our Constitution against all enemies, both foreign & domestic. But the Bible gives Christians an individual and corporate command to rise above temporal politics in the way we are to conduct our lives, regardless of who or what party is “in power”. Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1-6,
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people; for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct. This is good and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth. For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem the whole human race. That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved …”
(Good News Bible)
So it looks like we need to get to work, doing what God says we are to do in being the best kind of citizens. We will then be a blessing to Heaven & earth, God & man. We will be more likely to win people to Christ and His church, than trying to merely win arguments so they will come to our party. I’ve heard it said that Jesus calls us to be fishers of men, and then He will “clean them up”. It still works best when we live & do it His way.
Blessings!

“My son, fear the LORD and the King; do not associate with those given to change; for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?” – Proverbs 24:21-22 (NIV)