The news, talk shows, people’s conversations; it all leads to politics these days. We are in an election year and that makes it ever so much more prevalent. Conversations lead to discussions of how divided and polarized our country is. Democrats pitted against Republicans and strong feelings on both sides. Both viewpoints are sure that there has never been a time with such high feelings and urgency over an election. Those people evidently were not around at the time of the Kennedy/Nixon election, or they have forgotten how polarized the nation was in these two camps. That was my first recollection of politics and I can remember the harsh debates and disagreements that I heard adults discussing during that time. Nothing has changed except the names. A few Presidential races are more hotly debated than others. The two elections where President McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan, 1896 and 1900, were both worthy of the record books for how hotly they were debated and passionately fought. Interestingly, a side note is that McKinley, a Republican, and John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, were both enormously popular Presidents and both were assassinated.
Our country is built upon a foundation of having the right and ability to disagree and debate. That is not what makes our country weak; it is what makes it strong and great. We have the illusion that it is our voting that makes the final difference and we create this feeling of urgency around these topics. In the end the Scriptures teach us that God appoints all authority on earth. Romans 13:1 – Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Once again we are reminded of the fact that God is in control and that He is directing the world, even at the times when we cannot see it and furthermore, even in those times when we feel like we’re in control. We are in control of our choices, but God is still in charge of outcomes and unless He has taken up lying, which the Bible also declares that He cannot do, He is still in charge of outcomes, even political ones.
This is a great opportunity to be reminded that God’s plan will win out and that no matter what the political climate of the day is; God’s got the outcome in the palm of His hand. We are His and we can count on His mercy, His grace and His love to bring us to the future, a future with Him as our Lord and Savior and Father who art in Heaven.
I’m not saying not to vote. I’m not suggesting that we do nothing. I am suggesting that we follow God and trust Him to deliver us beyond the place we’re in and into the future which He has prepared for us. Our path is to find His will and do it, regardless of what others are doing. Also instead of trying to direct or redirect others, let us be sure to find and follow our own path as He directs. That path will lead to His will and direct us to a future where His will is fulfilled. We may not see it from here, but it is ahead of us, nonetheless. We may all rest in the assurance and the promise that God is still on the throne and still controls the future.
Blessings!

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