Not Afraid

Today is the big day. Election day, that is. After months of argument, agony, and astonishment, today the nation will elect the next President of the United States of America.

I have my list of candidates and the propositions I plan to vote for or against tucked into my purse. I spent the last week doing research on laws, policies, and politicians in this new state of ours.

I will go to the polls today and fill out my ballot with patriotic pride, thankfulness, and prayer…

And then I will go to work, and I will pick up my kids, and I will make dinner, and I will watch the election results roll in on the local news channel, and I will not flinch or flutter…

because I am not afraid.

This election has been founded on fear. Corruption. Terrorism. Sexual assault. Drones. Refugees. Russia. Racism. Computer hacks and Wikileaks.

We have been told that if we don’t vote the right way (be it for HRC, Trump, or a 3rd Party), America may never be the same.

And you know what? That might be true.

We may see our liberties disappear as a far-left government annihilates our constitution. We may see hatred and suffering increase under the hand of an authoritarian-style far-right dictator.

We may just see a mediocre presidency that lasts for the next 4-8 years.

I have no idea.

But I can tell you some things I do know:

1. America is probably not going to be “great” again, no matter who our president is… at least from a spiritual perspective. While I love that voters have a passion for progress and reform and revitalization, my favorite history book (The Bible) tells me where we are headed. Whether quickly or slowly, whether we get “good” supreme court judges or “bad” ones, we are headed toward the End Times. We are going to see a rise in secularism and a more culturally acceptable hatred for God, His Kingdom, and His people. I’m not an end-times prophet by any means, I’ve just read the New Testament a time or two.
2. As Christians, we have the Bible (the very word of God) to tell us what’s right and wrong no matter what laws or policies our government dictates. We have new opportunities to serve our neighbors and share the Gospel as our society changes politically. Animosity growing toward immigrants, Muslims, and refugees? Invite your Muslim neighbor or the refugee family from church over for dinner and show them the kindness and hospitality depicted time and time again in the Bible. Tired of your “pro-choice” friend questioning your “pro-life” rhetoric? Stop talking and start serving. Find a crisis pregnancy center or an organization that helps teen moms and love these women and their children with your time, attention, and provision. While elections bring out false accusations and condemning language from so many, Believers should be the first to practice Matthew 7:5… always looking first to our own sin (the log in our own eye) before we try to remove the speck from our brother’s eye. Lots of lies are thrown around during election time, but sometimes there is truth in the mix. Christians should be the first to humbly inspect themselves and ask how they are falling short of loving their neighbors as the election brings up issues of injustice and need within our communities.
3. We know the ending to this story, my friends. We know it will get worse, before it gets better. The conclusion is this… redemption, reconciliation, renewal. A glorious inheritance for all eternity. We have a God that promises to always work for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). No election, no candidate, no proposition can thwart God’s power. I am thankful this election has asked me to test my own beliefs and anchor myself in Christ for coming trials. Why should I be afraid when the ruler of the universe has already died to save me? What can man do to me?

I’ll leave you with a prayer I prayed with my students yesterday…

Lord, please guide our country tomorrow as its citizens head to the polls. Help Believers everywhere remember that You are in control and we can trust in You. May our words and actions reflect the truth that You are good and You are sovereign to our neighbors who don’t know You. We are not afraid, because Jesus is our mighty King.