11/06/2024
I recently read these words reposted by a friend... Wise and Comforting. ❤️🤍💙🙏🏼 (Long read and worth it!)
From a pastor:
Today is the —— time I have pastored after a presidential election. The first time, Obama won a second term. Then Trump won, then Biden, then Trump again. And as is true after every election, there are people in our community who are relieved and overjoyed, and there are people who are deeply disappointed and fear for the future. We have all voted our conscience, trying to change the world by putting “our party” in power. The thought is that if we have power, we can get people to do what we want them to do. We’ll control the world and we’ll bring back good. In that way we keep trying to change the world the way the Roman empire did, instead of the way Jesus did. Now may be a good time to remember that Jesus had no political control over the Roman Empire, and still he changed the world.
It is important to vote, but it does not change our mandate as Christians. Regardless of who holds the office of the president, our mandate as Christians includes feeding the hungry, binding the broken and protecting the vulnerable. We are to love our families and neighbors, just as we love our enemies and ourselves. And above all, we love God, who sent Jesus to show us a better way forward.
In our Scripture, we see James and John vying for political power and seats at Jesus’ right and left. Over and over again, Jesus says, That’s not how my kingdom works. The Kingdom of God does not come through scepters or crowns or ballots. The Kingdom of God only comes through love.
Remember last Sunday when we lit candles giving thanks for the people who had had the greatest influence on our lives and faith? I bet no one lit a candle for any politician we’ve only seen on tv. That’s not to discount the power that the government and world have to help or harm. But the people who truly shaped us are the teachers, coaches, family members, loved ones, even strangers who showed us love and grace. They are people who walked in the faith even in difficult times and who taught us to live out our beliefs with courage and compassion.
You have more power than you know. Whether your candidate won or lost, God needs YOU to be light and salt. Never underestimate the power of love in action.
