The first Tuesday in November of an even numbered year – what does that mean? Election Day of course. Like many of you, I am ready for this one to be history. Perhaps it is just me, but the whole process seems to get uglier and uglier each year. I don’t remember seeing more than one or two television ads that actually identified a candidate I should vote for and provided at least one good reason. The huge majority were negative, condemning, accusative diatribes aimed at destroying the other person.
I am convinced that many folks, especially Christians, believe that we are on the verge of extinction if we elect the wrong people. Many of these people are also of the opinion that if we elect enough of the right candidates, happy days will be here once again. To be honest, I do not subscribe to either position.
Don’t misunderstand; I think it is a good thing to have honest, hard-working, self-sacrificing political leaders who possess the proper set of values. We have not elected enough of them the past few decades (some might say longer than that) and we are suffering the consequences. I also know that people that I consider serious followers of Jesus have conflicting opinions on the identity of those candidates.
However, the reality is that none of it really matters. I know that some of you who read that sentence have just had your feelings that I am idiot confirmed, but allow me to explain. The highest calling for any follower of Christ is to serve Him. That is our primary task. Everything else is secondary. It does not matter what political or economic system we live in, we can still fulfill that task.
My friend Charlie has been reading a new biography about Dietrich Bonheoffer and his excitement about the book has caused me to start reading it as well. You may or may not know, but Bonheoffer was a pastor and theologian in Hitler’s Germany. He was ultimately placed in a concentration camp and executed. The books and letters he wrote during a very hostile time and in an extremely dismal environment are among some of the finest that every Christian should read. It is probably correct to say that Bonheoffer’s words gained credibility because of his struggles and difficulties.
Many of the finest disciples have been found in some of the most hostile environments. Our provisions, the march of the Gospel, the strength of the church, and the cause of Christ are not dependent upon favorable politicians. We will wake up on Wednesday morning happy about some elections results and sad about others. However, we will wake up with the assurance that God is on the throne. Because of that one truth, nothing else matters much. Thankfully, God has no term limit.
I posted your blog on mine.
http://brotherclarksblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/thankful-for-no-term-limit.html
Posted by: Clark Dunlap | November 11, 2010 at 06:08 AM