I’m sure you’ve thought about it, even if you didn’t share it. What’s the “it”? The election results. The “blue wave.” The “shellacking.” The “disaster.” The descriptions could continue. I have no desire to descend into name-calling here. The media of your choice will carry that water for you–whatever side you take. If you turn on Fox, you’ll get one message. If you turn on CNN, you’ll get another. If you listen to your radio or podcast personality, you’ll get that one. It’s almost impossible to find anyone who thinks for himself. Usually what you get is someone sharing his preferred person’s views with a tone of authority. Frankly, it sickens me. I’m still an officer in the U.S. military. As such, I cannot weigh in on such matters publicly. I take orders and move out, whether I like my leadership or not. But here’s where I’m going with this: if you are a Christian, your story is much bigger and better than this–or any–human election. I’m not saying that elections are unimportant.
What I am saying is that your world–as a Christian–is much deeper, much more lasting, much more important and precious, than any political leader. God is not surprised–ever. He rules history; it is not ruled by sinners. God raises kingdoms and empires up. God destroys kingdoms and empires. Often that trajectory comes via sinners’ own suppression of the truth. The default position of the sinner is to think he outwits God, that he can outrun God, and do things to thwart God’s plan. (Ask Jonah how that worked out.)
Your story is much bigger and better than this moment. Learn to take the long view. The Christian church is a church that has endured massive obstacles, guys. Massive. Fight the myopia that so easily afflicts some types of people. If you only focus on the immediate, the urgent, the “Breaking Now!” breathless assault of moment-by-moment headlines, you’ll quickly tire. There’s only so much gas in each person’s spiritual tank. So, what to do?
Breathe. Open your copy of the Scriptures. Read. Listen. Cry out to God. Read again. Pray. Be silent. Turn off your screens. Take a walk. No phone. No screens. No music. Just walk. Pray. Listen.
If you’re a Christian, beloved, your story is much bigger and better than this moment. If you’re not a Christian, then it’s possible cultural shake ups will lead to your undoing. What’s down in your well will come up in your bucket. So, choose the right well. Don’t succumb to the mind-numbing triviality and miss the life-changing theology: the gospel.
After Cain murdered Abel, Seth still was born. The gospel promise continued. After Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, God preserved him, and the gospel promise continued. After the flood, God still had a remnant, and the gospel promise continued. After Herod slaughtered the innocents in the 1st century A.D., Jesus was preserved and fulfilled his mission. The gospel promise continued. After Roman and Jewish religious leaders crucified the Christ of God, Jesus was raised bodily from the tomb and was seen by hundreds of eyewitnesses. The church was built. And the gospel promise continued.
Your story is bigger and better than any one single moment. Keep the main thing the main thing. Do the next right thing. Trust the Lord. And just be faithful.
