Still on the Throne
In case you missed the news, there was a political election a few days ago. I exercised my right and responsibility as a citizen and went to the polls, even if I didn't post a selfie on social media to prove that I had done so. I still think my vote counted, even without the photographic documentation.
If you are anything like me, you are probably glad the whole thing is over, if only because you are sick of all the candidate signs on the side of every road, and the non-stop talk of politics on every news program and every platform of social media. Sadly, that's how most elections turn out these days; by the time election day gets here most of us are just ready to get it over with.
I read a few places this past week that this was "the most important election of our lifetime." I can't say I really believed that, for a couple of reasons. First, I think they said that the last election, and the one before that. After a while, after we've heard the boy cry "Wolf!" enough times, we just don't buy it. Also, experience has proven time and time again that as important as elections are, and as privileged as we may be to participate in the electoral process, for the most part very few things in our day to day lives will change because of a political election.
I remember a few times in my life on election night when my candidate didn't win and I was devastated, feeling pretty hopeless and worried about the direction of our nation or state. But in the end, not that much was different. I was certain it was "the end of the world as we know it," but I have come to realize it was just politics. And the same goes when your candidate or party wins. Life goes on.
One of the sad realizations of our over-hyped media-driven world, as it relates to politics, is that it shows that everyone is putting too much faith in politicians to begin with. When one Supreme Court justice retires and you see a complete meltdown on social media and in the news about the future of our country, that's too much power concentrated in the hands of a single person (or group of people). A simple civics lesson reminds us why our founders included a separation of powers in our constitutional republic, so that they would keep any branch of our government from getting too powerful. And yet, we still buy into the drama that our very future hangs in the balance of every election or political process.
One thing I have been reminded of time and time again: no matter who is elected to an office, God is still on the throne. He still sovereignly governs the affairs of men, and He still can be trusted. We certainly are privileged in this nation to participate in the political process, but we mustn't put our faith there. Scripture reminds us that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, and our faith rests only in God and His Son Jesus Christ.
Now that this election is over and a new group of politicians will go to work in the new year, I hope you'll be praying for those who were elected, whether you voted for them or not. That is our biblically mandated responsibility, by the way (1 Tim. 2:1-2). I also hope you'll make sure to cast your vote for Jesus as the Lord of all your life. It's a vote you'll never regret casting.
And one more quick note while we're on the subject of voting and freedom and citizenship and such....a very special thank you to our veterans who have served our country on our behalf to preserve our freedom and rights, including the right to vote. We are grateful for your service, and we pray you'll know how much you are appreciated this Veteran's Day.
