God is in Control... Even on Election Day
Tomorrow is election day and this comes with great stress and great relief. I don't know who will be placed in authority over what. I don't know who our next president will be, I don't know what laws will be passed, and I don't know which local people will be representing who. The things I do know is that tomorrow there will be a lot of conflict. There will be a lot of fighting and quarreling. Tomorrow will be a day of great stress and concern for many. Tomorrow night will also be a time of great divide in our country when one person will be elected and another will not. One thing I do know for certain is that God knows. Tomorrow nights results will come as no shock to God.
I do have a set of political beliefs but I do not openly discuss them, not out of fear of what some may say, but because I believe that my focus should be on unity with my brothers and sisters. I know strong Christians on both sides of the spectrum. I believe that this is their personal choice and their right. I don't think that I could show love, agape love, if I judged or bashed someone based on their political beliefs. The church is already very divided over denominations. I don't see any reason that it should also be divided over politics.
Now let me say, I am very vocal in the fact that if a person does not vote and does not educate themselves on the issues, then I do not believe that person has a right to complain when things don't go as they wish.
I also find it extremely sad that they way political campaigns are run is more focused on slander than on stating what they stand for. I understand that they are just "playing the game" but it really turns me off to politics. I also hate the constant phone calls from different political parties.
That all being said, I am proud to live in a country in which I do have a right to vote. I have a right to state my beliefs. I have the right to write a blog about what God has done for me. I just wanted to encourage you all that no matter how tomorrows elections turn out, God is in control. I pray that as Christians we can find unity so that we might not be divided and silenced. I also want to encourage you my brother and sisters to pray and seek out what God would want you to do. There is a way to express our unhappiness without slandering the authorities and with showing them respect.
Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
On a final note my friends, I know that a time like this causes anger and frustration between people.. especially those with strong opinions. Please, remember that as Christians we are to not only love our friends but our enemy as well. I understand that right now some might be saying things that are directly against your core beliefs.. which feels like it is directly against you, but still seek God and His wisdom on how to still show them love. How to have peace with them.
Matthew 5:43-48 "“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Often it looks like we are fighting against another person or that another person is fighting against us, but they might really be fighting against God.
Romans 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
David said, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge." - Psalm 51:4
I do have a set of political beliefs but I do not openly discuss them, not out of fear of what some may say, but because I believe that my focus should be on unity with my brothers and sisters. I know strong Christians on both sides of the spectrum. I believe that this is their personal choice and their right. I don't think that I could show love, agape love, if I judged or bashed someone based on their political beliefs. The church is already very divided over denominations. I don't see any reason that it should also be divided over politics.
Now let me say, I am very vocal in the fact that if a person does not vote and does not educate themselves on the issues, then I do not believe that person has a right to complain when things don't go as they wish.
I also find it extremely sad that they way political campaigns are run is more focused on slander than on stating what they stand for. I understand that they are just "playing the game" but it really turns me off to politics. I also hate the constant phone calls from different political parties.
That all being said, I am proud to live in a country in which I do have a right to vote. I have a right to state my beliefs. I have the right to write a blog about what God has done for me. I just wanted to encourage you all that no matter how tomorrows elections turn out, God is in control. I pray that as Christians we can find unity so that we might not be divided and silenced. I also want to encourage you my brother and sisters to pray and seek out what God would want you to do. There is a way to express our unhappiness without slandering the authorities and with showing them respect.
Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
On a final note my friends, I know that a time like this causes anger and frustration between people.. especially those with strong opinions. Please, remember that as Christians we are to not only love our friends but our enemy as well. I understand that right now some might be saying things that are directly against your core beliefs.. which feels like it is directly against you, but still seek God and His wisdom on how to still show them love. How to have peace with them.
Matthew 5:43-48 "“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Often it looks like we are fighting against another person or that another person is fighting against us, but they might really be fighting against God.
Romans 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
David said, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge." - Psalm 51:4
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