Lately, it seems like I cannot look at Facebook, read the news, watch tv, or have a conversation without the current presidential election coming up. I cannot recall a more contentious or weird election in my lifetime. People are worried, angry, scared, frustrated, and looking for solutions. Rhetoric surrounding the outcome of the election has predicted catastrophe. Candidates have been verbally tarred and feathered so many times that it’s hard to imagine a civil debate or election ever taking place again. I don’t want to add to that pile of words that have already been dumped out on the topic. In addition, I loathe discussing politics, largely because it divides in a way that I find loathsome. Despite my hesitation, it seems like there are a few things worth voicing. Please understand that I am writing with no desire to back any candidate or denigrate the positions of those around me.
There is a great line in the book of Psalms, which I have gone back to over and over again in this season. “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish… whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.” (Psalm 146:3-7) King David wrote the song I quoted. Think about that a second. A king wrote that kings, princes, royalty, politicians, and folks in power have limited ability to fix what is wrong with the world. In the end, they all will disappear. We may build statues and monuments in their honor, but they do not remain. As easy as it is to identify saviors in the political world, none of them are actually saviors. Really, only God can save or has any real power to save. I’m not saying that elections don’t have any impact on our lives, because they do. What I am saying is that the religious fervor that sometimes accompanies political debate and discussion is woefully misplaced. Real peace, security, safety, and justice takes place as a result of God’s influence over His creation.
At the risk of pushing the point too far, I think another idea is worth sharing. Beginning in about 30 AD, the followers of Jesus changed the world. That isn’t hyperbole. They overturned the Roman Empire, perhaps the largest, wealthiest, and most powerful empire produced by men. Christianity was responsible for the abolition of slavery in much of the world. It produced people who worked to relieve the crushing burden of global poverty. The impact of the church on our world is inestimable. All of this began with no politicians or elected officials. Christians didn’t begin holding offices in government until the movement was over 300 years old. By that point, it had already reshaped much of the world around it. To this day, the greatest feats God performs in the world are not done through government officials, but rather by individual, faithful believers. So much can be accomplished through the work of people willing to serve God faithfully. Sure, God can work through politicians, but to look at politicians as though they are gods is a mistake.
There is so much work going into drumming up fear, anger, and negativity during this political season. My encouragement to you is to trust God to be in control. Vote, but don’t let the election take on more importance than it deserves. Recognize that as good or bad as any politician is, God determines their successes and failures. Also, if the world around you is broken, you can share the love of God and serve the folks around you in order to make it better.
