I couldn’t help but log onto Facebook last night to watch all the status updates change (almost by the second) in reaction to the news that Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. The status updates volleyed between fear and excitement, despair and relief, anger and “nanny-nanny-boo-boo.”
Some friends cried foul and vowed to move to Mexico. Some ridiculed others because their candidate came out on top. Some lifted up prayers of lament. Some merely gave thanks.
Throughout the campaigns I tried to avoid updating my status with cute platitudes or sarcastic zingers because, quite frankly, I try to avoid sounding stupid.
That’s right. I said it. Updating my Facebook status to sound off on the political process would make me feel stupid. Without tooting my own horn, I take pride in being as culturally informed as I possibly can. I read, I watch, I discuss, I weigh, I ponder, I worry, I step up, I step back, and I still, at the end of the day, with much fear and trepidation, can honestly say that I rarely have a good answer much less a snappy quip to throw around for the whole world to see.
After looking at the status updates last night my head hung pretty low. It is obvious that today we are still divided. It is ok to hold differing views and it is ok to disagree (often this is necessary). However it is never ok to demonize someone because they are different from you, even when they are radically different. This goes for both sides.
So I updated my status.
Not with a pithy statement about my disappointment. Not with a zinger about how thrilled I was. I updated my status with one of those “hard teachings” found in scripture.
Hard Teachings are those passages that you read and then say, “Great! Wish I hadn’t read that!” because you now know that what is required from you is an attitude and a heart that submits to God rather than your own desires. These passages require a mental, spiritual, and, some times, physical 180 from the way you want to do things to a new way. A God way.
So, regardless how you feel about last night…
Regardless how you feel today…
Regardless…
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
(1Timothy 2:1-4 TNIV)
Want to make a difference today? Do you want to really enact change? Start with yourself.
Lift up the men and women who won last night. Not just the winners in blue and not just the winners in red. Pray for ALL those who now have authority over us.
Regardless how you feel about last night…
Regardless how you feel today…
Regardless…
Amen!
“The Day After” is the title of an 80’s moving depicting life immediatley after a nuclear attack. Very telling…
Just joshin’. Very well written Micheal!
I was feeling a sense of “dread” last night, but awoke with a better view, realizing that there is One that has it all under control.
Thanks Brooke!
Pablo,
I thought about that movie after I titled the post. I went through a phase where I had had really clever post titles but now, not so much. The title was just that, a title. I put the politics in the body! 🙂
I’ve come to the point, in my nothing short life, where I just have to look at my possible reactions to the things around me and ask myself if I am willing to “Man Up” with Scripture.
I can hold on to my ideals, my wants, the way I think things should be and either be a jerk or a crybaby. Or I can look at things, weigh my reactions to the way God calls me to react and then be blown away (every time) by God and his Word.
“But God,” I say, “that’s not fair!” “I wanted this or that,” I say. I am always afraid that when I react like that I’ll have a Job moment.
I am nothing. God is everything. Maybe I should be listening more than running my mouth off. Thankfully he’s bigger than my mouth and can take whatever I can dish out but, brother, get out of his way!!!! He is in charge.
…convicted…ouch
Thanks for this post Micheal. My first reaction (to the reactions…) was about the same as yours. Seeing friends make posts about the anti-christ and other equally stupid remarks was discouraging. While I love politics probably more than the average Joe (six-pack), at the end of the day I live my life knowing that I make my own decisions and whoever the President is will effect my life very little. The sun will still come up… The power in the house still works… And I’ll still go out and work hard and provide for myself and not expect a person in Washington to help me. While I might disagree with some of a President’s policies, at the end of the day it means very little to what happens in my day-to-day life.
Thanks brother! Chad