Thoughts on "The Election"

I penned this post in 2016. I am scheduling it in early November 2024. The same truths are applicable now. Even before I know the outcome…..

Are you tired of hearing about "The Election"?

Me, too. 

Tired of hearing not only the pundits banter on and on about what it all means but also the everyday folks pontificate the ups and downs for our country come January.

Enough already.

This blog is not that at all. Not about why who won and who lost and what that says about the electorate and what ramifications we can expect.

Instead, I have some thoughts regarding the response of people to the election.  Specifically, the response of Christ-followers. For those that don't know Christ, they can act any way they please but
for those of us who profess to know Him, well, we don't have the right to act the way some of us are acting. Election or otherwise.


Let me begin with the admonition of James:


Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;  for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  James 1:20,21
 
As I've watched the behavior of my brothers and sisters before, during and after this election season, I have had lots of thoughts I wanted to spew, uh, share. It's not been that I didn't have some opinions - some strong ones, in fact.  But every time I started to blog it, I was restrained by these verses.
Be quick to hear.
Be slow to speak.
Be slow to anger.


So that's what I have tried to heed.


Doing so has helped me process things and  be prepared to walk as a child of the light for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth  Ephesians 5:8,9


Maybe this will encourage you, too.


Be quick to hear.
Other people.  Listen to other people.  Not those who share your same views or convictions or party affiliation. Make it a priority to hear what the "other side" has to say. First. Before you speak,
I'll be honest - I didn't care for either presidential candidate. And I wanted to rant and rave about both of them, just like lots of folks around me. Before, during and after the votes were tallied.
Sometimes I did just that but more and more I found it most helpful not to do that. But rather to listen. First.
To hear the fears and the angst. To listen to the hopes and the heart. To be attentive to the feelings and opinions of people that differ from my own.


I learned a lot.


Be slow to speak.
I can only do this if I am busy listening in order to hear.
Too many times, we are not really hearing but rather just waiting for a break in the conversation so we can have our turn to speak.
Not helpful.
Being slow to speak is helpful. though. Slow to share what we think is so important. Slow to speak aloud the thoughts forming in our mind. Slow to vent the emotions that well up inside when we disagree with what we are hearing.


A lot of pain and brokenness could be avoided if we would be slow to speak. Sometimes our thoughts need to change before we release them into the air. And being slow to speak gives that process a chance to happen.


That's why I waited to blog about the election. I needed to be slow about speaking.


Be slow to anger.
The anger of Christians during this whole season has grieved me. And it has been widespread. From people who took all sorts of positions regarding this casting and tallying time.
Anger over who has been in charge.
Anger over who is going to be in charge.
Anger over whether or not we should even care who's in charge!
Anger directed at people for having a different opinion or goal.
Anger that accuses and divides and shatters.
Anger that is decried by Scripture because it does not achieve God's plan of righteousness (James 1:21) and in fact, is equated with murder. (Matthew 5:21,22)  Yes, murder.


Anger is so dangerous because it is rooted in pride. The mindset that says "my thoughts are so much  better and more important than yours that I insist you change yours to line up with mine". And when that doesn't happen, anger results.


So, given the admonition of James, what are my thoughts about how we should respond? Not my original thought but Chuck Swindoll expresses it so well in a sermon decades ago that I'll borrow it from him:
Nobody act big.
Nobody act small.
Everybody act medium.




Nobody act big.
Whatever your position on the election was or is, don't act big about it. In other words, don't be a jerk. Not smug if your side "won" or indignant if your side "lost" or self-righteous if you didn't take a side. Don't act as though you are better or more important than someone who differs from you.
Because you're not.
So zip your lips and act like a gracious winner/loser/spectator. Refer once more to James on the hearing and speaking part.



Nobody act small.
The fear reaction has been what has shocked me. Remember now, this post is for Christians.  I am not shocked by any reaction of non-Christians. But the fear from my fellow believers has positively shocked me. Don't we know who rules and reigns? Not the winner of any election! Gracious me!

The fear of what might happen now or what could be the fallout. Fear from remarks made by people around them and fear of potential perception. Are you kidding me? If the "losing side" had expressed such fear (or anger) in the previous elections, accusations of racism would have flown faster than a speeding bullet. But this time, the fear response is to be pitied and coddled, even seen as noble. Gracious me. We are not to fear!


So don't fear and don't fuel the fear of those around you, especially the children.
And while I am ranting about not acting small, that includes the smallness of prejudice and unkindness. Don't act that way.


Everybody act medium.
The definition of pride is not only thinking too much of yourself, it's also thinking of yourself too much. Self-focus. That's pride. Acting too big or too small - that's pride.
I would explain "acting medium" as Philippians 2:4 "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests but also the interests of others".  The perspective God wants us to have is certainly not arrogance but neither is it self-deprecation. This verse tells us that it is reasonable to look out after our own interests...just not at the exclusion of the interests of others. Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves..because, whether we admit it or not, whether we are aware of it or not, we do love ourselves. We protect our own hearts, our own interests, our own preferences and Scripture is exhorting us not to do so at the expense of others.
Act medium.
Not boastful or presumptuous or angry.
And not fearful or pathetic or weak.


And, as the prophet of Daniel did so long ago, let us bless the God of Heaven:
Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings (and presidents) and establishes kings (and presidents); He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him. To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise
Daniel 2:20-23

How often we forget....

and the disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in a desolate place to satisfy such a great multitude?” Matthew 15:33

Seeing this verse out of context,I am likely to assume it is the much loved and familiar story of the little boy who offers Jesus his lunch. Out of a mere five rolls and two small fish, Jesus feeds well over 5000 people. But that miracle is recorded a chapters earlier, in Matthew 14:13-21. This particular verse comes later. Jesus has been teaching and healing multitudes of people . The disciples have been on the front row as miracle after miracle have occurred.

Surely we can expect their faith to be strong. Surely, when Jesus says “I have compassion for the multitude, because they have remained with me now three days and have nothing to eat and I do not wish to send them away hungry lest they faint on the way” (Matthew 15:32), these witnesses would answer with resolute conviction “Lord, we know you will take care of everything; just tell us what you want us to do!”

Surely.

Not.

In spite of all they had seen Jesus do, over the past several days, those closest to Him responded with doubt and uncertainty.

Wow. They couldn’t even remember what He had just done in a strikingly similar situation.

Wow. How fragile their faith. How feeble their memory…how disappointingly familiar.

Even though you and I have 66 books that testify to the faithfulness of God, even though we have personally experienced His grace and generosity, we act just like those forgetful disciples, don’t we? How many times have we faced an impossible situation and wrung our hands in anxiety and fear? How many times have we slipped into despair because we couldn’t figure a way out of the conundrum we found ourselves in? How many times have we forgotten Whose we are and what He can do?

Just like those disciples.

If I were Jesus, I’d have been ticked off. At least exasperated. Wouldn’t you? I mean, seriously, not only had His divine power been on display right in front of them for days on end, but also His unparalleled compassion! How could they not “get it”?

How do we not “get it”?

I am so thankful God included this story in His Word. It brings me much encouragement that the disciples were forgetful. That they could know Jesus personally, watch Him function up close and personal, and still not respond in faith.

And the most encouraging, most comforting part is Jesus’s response. He doesn’t get ticked off. Doesn’t even sound exasperated.

He says “How many loaves do you have?” And then proceeds not to admonish them, but instead to bless them with yet another miracle. (vs. 34-39)

Wow.

What a merciful, compassionate, gracious God we serve!

Lord, help us to remember Who You are! Forgive our lack of faith. Help us to call to mind Your faithfulness, Your power, and especially Your love for us. Amen.

Tips for good service

Mark 10:45   For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve"


Good service.  We all want to get it.  Actually, we all expect it.  How good are we at giving it?

Christ set the example for us -- He, for whom and by whom all things are created, sets His priority on serving.  What can we learn from that?

1.  There is much joy in serving.  Especially when it's inconvenient.  When I meet a need for someone else, I am rewarded with a deep satisfaction, a treasured  happiness that can only come when I strive to please someone else instead of myself.  Simple things, complex acts - doesn't matter.  Serving someone else is sweet.

2.  Begin at home.  Frankly, its harder to serve here than at church or in the community.  Even though these are the folks we love the best and presumably want to serve the most!  Go figure.  But service should be at home first and best above all other places.  I think we women have an advantage over fellas when it comes to serving.  We seem to have serving programmed into our DNA but, trust me, it still is a choice.  A daily choice.  Now I firmly believe that children should do chores (yes, little urchins of mine - lots of them!!) but Mom should be the greatest servant of all.  "Great" in terms of not only quantity of service but especially quality.  Cheerful service.  Glad spirit.  Willing heart.  Doing things noticed and unnoticed. Without complaining. Wives, don't let your husband out-serve you.  Allow me a brief moment on the soapbox here.....the Church has done a great job instructing husbands in being servant-leaders.  And so they should.  But I fear that we have all too happily seated ourselves in our easy chairs while our husbands perform their "rightful" service.  Treat your hubby like a King.  OK, I'll get down now.  Gotta get cheese grits finished for my house's King :)

3.  Serve at home and then serve at church.  Most folks I know are doing a great job at this.  It hardly needs a mention.  In fact, I worry more about folks that are doing too much rather than not serving at all!!!  But just in case you are merely warming a pew, I suggest that you find a place to serve. A regular commitment.  A place where it matters if you don't show up.  And then serve your heart out!

4.  Look for the serendipitous chances to serve.  Picking up paper towels off the floor in public bathrooms is a favorite of mine. (Yes, Mom, I wash my hands after!!!)

5.  Serve others in their times of need.  Now, I gotta tell you - I think the community I am part of does a great job at this.  Taking meals.  Helping out with others' kids. Acting as personal moving service.  Providing Christmas for needy families.  Praying for each other faithfully. On and on and on.  If you need some real live examples, come check out the crowd I get to hang out with at Watkinsville First Baptist. 

I have heard folks excuse their lack of serving with "It's not my gift".  Well, my goodness, how convenient.  But how wrong.  All those spiritual gifts that we seem to want to pick and choose?  Well, Scripture actually commands us to exercise each one of them.  Yep.  Check it out.  We will have one or two that dominates our motivation but we are all exhorted to give, show mercy, teach, prophesy,  have wisdom and faith.....and to serve.  Especially to serve.  Christ is our example.


Don't expect to be applauded or even noticed for your service.  In fact, hold out hope that you won't be!  Because  your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

One last tip for good service -- if you're like most women, you are much much much more comfortable doing the serving as opposed to receiving the serving.  Probably you protest "no really I'm fine!" and decline offers to help.  Don't.  Even if it makes you uneasy, sometimes you need to let somebody else relish the joy by doing something for you. :)

What cathedrals can teach us about parenting...

repost

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind 2 Peter 1:15

This verse has long been my parenting prayer, that not only would I work hard to invest God’s Word in my children,but especially that they would remember His timeless truths long after my voice has been silent. These past couple of weeks, as I’ve watched the reports on the burning of the regal Notre Dame Cathedral, this passage keeps coming to mind.

The world continues to mourn the burning of this masterpiece. And rightly so. Even though I never saw it except in pictures (based on social media posts, I am fairly certain I am in the 1/2 of 1 % of the world who falls in this category!), I can easily appreciate its beauty, its splendor, and even more, its significance.

Its significance. What it stands for, what it represents, what it epitomizes.

Of course, the breathtaking architecture. And especially the spiritual magnitude it embodies. But there are other beautiful buildings, other majestic places of worship. Why does the loss of this ancient cathedral hit us all so hard?

I think it has something to do with its construction. All that went into getting it built. Over a century of labor, generations of workers toiling without any of the modern technological advantages. Resulting in grandeur almost beyond our imagination. A whole lot of hard work.

And the message that kept beating in my heart related to parenting. Well, of course! And I was reminded of the above passage in 2 Peter and it resonated all the more.

Let’s unpack my thoughts together……

First, what did it take to construct this marvel of history?

A whole lot of hard work over 150 years! The plans for Notre Dame, according to historical reports, were relatively simple drawings, based on “elementary mathematical ratios” . The concept for construction was passed down from one generation of workers to the next, a “collage of architectural trends and leadership rather than the culmination of one person’s vision”. (Notre Dame construction/visualartscork.com) Surely, the majority of these laborers (whose names are not preserved for posterity) knew they would never see final product! And yet, millions of people have benefited from their work; untold numbers have enjoyed and appreciated the beautiful product of their endeavors.

I was struck by the similarities to parenting….

First of all, raising kids is A LOT of hard work! And it takes place over a long period of time - as in a lifetime! Can I get an “Amen!”??? Don’t get me wrong - I absolutely know it’s worth it. For sure. But can we all just admit the truth - it’s a lot of hard work! A lot of hard work done in anonymous obscurity, too. Untold efforts that no one ever notices….just like those cathedral laborers….

And, for a lot of seasons, it can feel like a thankless job. I mean, I don’t know about you, but not a single one of mine during the toddler years thanked me for changing their diapers, much less for training them to obey authority immediately. Quite the opposite, in fact - they fought me every step of the way!

So we can identify with those cathedral-builders, can’t we? We understand what “diligence” means!

But I take a lot of comfort from the thought that these magnificent cathedrals were based on relatively simple plans. It’s quite tempting to think that not only is there some SECRET magic formula for parenting, but also that it’s so complex we could never attain to it. When in truth, that is just not the case! God’s Word holds all the principles we need for the job. Seriously. The Bible gives us wisdom and power for how to treat people - and that’s what parenting is, treating little people. It’s a lot of hard work, to be sure, but it’s not unbearably complex. And, as we learn and grow ourselves, we can adjust our application of the Truths that do not change. That’s comforting.

At the same time, however, it is beyond our ability to do it successfully, alone. Just as these grand cathedrals required massive resources, so does parenting. The primary resource, of course, is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is He and He alone who can grow these kids of ours into masterpieces, He and He alone who can transform self-centered hearts into vessels of beauty and blessing. So the first resource for cathedral-building is the Holy Spirit — His Wisdom, His guidance, His power.

Sometimes, God supplies what we need for parenting through other people. It’s all still from Him but often He gets the job done through the gifts and presence of others. That’s surely been my experience! A piano teacher, a coach, social etiquette programs, Sunday School teachers, even the parents of my kids’ friends - all have played extremely significant roles in equipping my little cathedrals for grandeur. I am way too inadequate to even think I am all they need so I gladly rely on the strengths of others to contribute to my kids’ lives. (But I am mighty picky about who is in their “child-raisin’ village”….just sayin….)

Maybe the most critical element of cathedral building - other than that it’s a lot of hard work (did I mention that already?) - is embracing the truth that the fruit of our labor will not be finished in our lifetime. To be sure, we do get to enjoy some fruit. Thank the Lord! Some results of the work will be visible before we are gone and that is indeed precious. Treasure beyond compare.

But most of who our kids will be won’t be visible in our lifetime. The lives they will bless are largely in a future we won’t visit. And, yet, we know the future — and the fruit — will come…so we keep building. We learn a little more and tweak a little here. We involve the strengths of others and praise God for His supply. Mostly we invite the work of the Holy Spirit - in their lives and ours - and we wait. Working while we wait. Praying while we work. Trusting that the construction will be beyond our ability to imagine.

And, knowing that, unlike those cathedral laborers, One Day, we will get to see the final product. Living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5). Glorious testaments to the work of our great God, “buildings” that He so graciously allows us to be part of building. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (I Corinthians 3:9) And, although we won’t see the completion of these buildings while we are in this life, we are encouraged to be diligent because God promises that our work will follow us into Eternity (Revelation 14:13)

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation …(I Corinthians 3:10)

Next time you think about the Notre Dame cathedral, remember that you’re in the same business. Only what you and I are building cannot be destroyed by fire.

Hallelujah and Amen!