Nov
06
Thoughts on the Election Results
It is over! Well almost. There are still the recounts and the inevitable lawsuits that have become such apart of the election process in recent years. But, the constant barrage of political adds and the phone calls will now end. And for that I am grateful. But what to make of the results. The Christians I have talked to have had a wide range of responses, especially to the outcome of the presidential race.
Some Christians I have talked believe that Obama’s election signals the beginning of the end times. Others have been elated by his election as a historic and transformational event our country’s history. Others are cautiously optimistic or cautiously pessimistic.
For those of you that are greatly concerned about an Obama presidency I am reminded that God is in control. The Bible says that God places every leader in his position and we read in the Old testament how God used even the most ungodly rulers to accomplish His purposes. There is no need to despair!
For those who are excited about what a Obama presidency will bring, I am reminded that he is a man. He will make mistakes and the many of the problems our nation faces are beyond his ability to fix. Psalm 146 says, “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there..But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” Our “hope” still needs to be in God.
Whatever your feelings about the election, we can all respond as the Bible directs us. We can show respect and pray for those in leadership that they might govern well.
Previous Comments
#1 from on November 06, 2008
That is so true. We look for a President that can fix all our problems but that president has never existed nor will he ever exist. God is the President of our lives and he is the only one with the power to fully comprehend and help the problems in our nation and our personal lives. If only everyone would vote for him.
#2 from on December 01, 2008
In fact, Sarah, one of my very favorite Christian author’s named Shane Claiborne just wrote a book called “Jesus for President.“
As for the conversation about the presidency: I think that we may have allowed ourselves as Christians to become to complacent with partisan politics. I can only speak for myself, but I feel pigeon-holed sometimes into taking a side which I am uncomfortable with. I think each party offers aspects I find near and dear to my Christian faith and in the end I have to vote for the candidate which aligns “best,“ if not completely with the way I choose to play out my faith.
I adamantly disagree with Obama on some very important issues, yet I find my Christian values drawing me to many aspects of his leadership. In the end, I believe - like Obama - that change happens at the grassroots level and I want to love my community like Jesus loved those who surrounded him.
This is a touchy issue, and I am more “liberal” in it then most of my Evangelical brethren, but I really wish that there was room for reasonable dialogue in which people were willing to open up and listen without vilifying the other side. Obama is not the anti-Christ simply because of his stance on abortion or his political party affiliation. We are all human beings, and I believe that we should open our hearts towards one another more and more.
Just my two cents worth.