Election Results

Election day has come and gone.  Nearly a year's worth of campaigning on the national stage all culminating upon the results of the voting public across this nation.  State and local elections determined legislators, auditors, clerks, and constitutional amendments.  Did you feel the energy?  Did you feel the excitement throughout the day as media outlets tripped over each other discussing outcome projections?  Anxiously, caffeinated reporters poured forth statistical analysis and number crunching through our televisions.  Into the evening radio DJs excitedly recounted the latest precinct and state projections.  Better than any play-by-play sporting event, the elections throughout this land impacted more than a friendly wager, or bragging rights among friends.  They will, in part, determine the course of events for years to come in our nation, in our state, and in our local governments. 

Regardless of your voting choices, regardless of whether you voted for those who were victorious in their election/re-election bids or were defeated, most all of us would agree that there is a more acute awareness of the directions our states and our nation are heading and our part in electing leaders who will represent the values we cherish.  Many vote to maintain beliefs or directions our governments and policy makers are moving towards that they agree with.  Many vote to unseat those same policy makers and replace them with others of different values.  Most will passionately vote for the representation of their convictions embodied in a single individual.  Many vote in fear - fear of either the incumbent or the challenger retaining/obtaining office and what the ramifications will be.  Network ratings skyrocket as we all tune in for the latest information.  Uncertainty hangs apprehensively over the day like a low cloud and many are energized by this doubt, by this lack of knowledge of the future. 

Those who have voted for the victors feel a sense of relief, a sense that there is a continued hope for improvement.  Those who voted for the defeated feel a sense of doubt, a dread that conditions will continue to decline and worsen.  One way or the other, most have either felt their hopes lifted or dashed in the rising up or casting down of men.  And the enemy of our souls revels in our misplaced trust and fears.

I was centered and encouraged by a timely post by my brother on the KTM website a couple of weeks ago.  Like most, I feel I was placing a great deal of this nation's future, including my own and my children's upon the upcoming elections.  I was buying into the fervor.  But we often forget, as Christians, we are treading on foreign soil. We are citizens of another country, possessing a higher residency.  There is a clock ticking and a plan unfolding that surpasses our prayers, our plans, our hopes, and our dreams.

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power.  He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.  He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light."
Daniel 2:20-22 NLT

Is this a call to disengage and retreat from the affairs of men, only monitoring the outcome of the actions of others because "God's in control"?  Do we hide behind the oft quoted credo "witness everyday and if you have to use words" by never speaking of or exemplifying the power of Heaven or of a Risen Savior?  What if I were to tell you that we, as "little-Christs" are to be more active than ever in the affairs of mankind, in the governance of men, in the direction of the societal tug-of-war? 

Very recently a United States Ambassador was killed on foreign soil.  I hope this sparked some semblance of outrage within you as it did for me.  Why?  Because this person, this man represented our governance, our ideals, our values and our legitimacy in a foreign land.  His death was an affront and an assault to, not only his family, but to our entire nation.  In 2 Corinthians 5:20 you are called an Ambassador, only this office is of a much higher order and prominence than the man who just lost his life.  Paul reconfirms this office in referring to himself in Ephesians 6:20.  It is an office that you have been elected to by a landslide majority. 

Jesus stated your election in Matthew 24 and again in Mark 13.  The word for the elect, eklektos, translates "to be selected for an office, the best of its kind or class, excellence".  God didn't choose losers.  He didn't pick worthless nobodies that He could do nothing with.  He doesn't select people who are capable of only taking up space, breathing air, and using up resources.  He has specifically chosen you to be the change in the world around you;  to transform the foreign soil you daily tread as his elect ambassador.  But, as with any elected position, it is an office that you yourself must confirm.

Picture the winners of last night's high profile election races.  What if, instead of giving victory speeches after their elections had been confirmed, they quietly slipped out the back door and went to the local fast food chain for a burger, trying to inconspicuously keep from drawing attention to themselves as they quietly sat in a corner, head down, chasing fries with a soda.  Nervously glancing around they are always watchful to make sure no one in particular takes too much interest in them, stares for too long.  Absurd, right?  You expect them to victoriously seize the platform dias and with authority proclaim their rights to their new office and proclaim their plan for the future, regardless of how many times you've heard it on the campaign trail.  Why are we content to remain "anonymous" in our position as God's Elect?  What does the Word have to say about this?

"Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall.  Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 1:10-11 AMP

I love how the New Living Translation puts verse 11:
"Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 1:11 NLT

Picture that parade.  No presidential entry has begun to compare.

In the verses prior this, Peter describes the path to strengthening and ratifying your election.  Take the time to read these because this is one office we should all endeavor to be career politicians in. 

And the challengers to your election?  The Father owns the polling place, the courts, and is the Judge and He has already ruled in favor of you and removed all legitimacy in the enemy's claims for all eternity.  The polls are closed and you have overwhelmingly been declared the winner.  Time to step onto the stage -this way, sir/madame...

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."
2 John 1:6