Here is the article I wrote for the November 9th edition of the Crestline Advocate.
As I write this, the results of the historical 2016 presidential election are yet to be determined. By the time you read it, we will know who our next president is. Whatever the outcome, I want to encourage you and share some wisdom from the church as we move forward.
As I write this, the results of the historical 2016 presidential election are yet to be determined. By the time you read it, we will know who our next president is. Whatever the outcome, I want to encourage you and share some wisdom from the church as we move forward.
In his journal on October 6, 1774, John Wesley, the Anglican
priest who founded the Methodist movement in England along with his brother
Charles, shared some election advice in his journal. He urged the Methodists to “speak no evil of
the person they voted against” and “to take care their spirits were not
sharpened against those that voted on the other side.” We’ll take a look at his advice, and some
more thoughts from scripture, below.
1.
Speak no
evil: In such a contentious time, this is hard to do. But what good comes from slandering our
elected leader? I am as guilty of this
as anyone – but we can do better.
2.
Do not
harden your hearts against those who disagree with you: Our great country
is made up of many people, with many different opinions. Jesus said that God’s greatest commandment is
to “Love God,” and the second greatest is to “love your neighbor as yourself”
(Matt 22:37-39). In Matthew 5:44 Jesus
said “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” God put us all together in this place because
we need each other! Some of the best
advice I have ever heard comes from Sonia, the 9-year-old daughter of a friend of
mine. She says “God created us different
so that life would be interesting. We
should try to like and understand people who are different than us and try to learn
about them and have fun with it.” Talk
about your opinions with each other, listen to each other, and avoid
anger. Have fun with it!
3.
Pray for
your new leader! 1 Timothy 2, verse 2 says “I urge, then…that petitions,
prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and
all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness.” No matter who
our leader is, that person is a creation of our loving God. That person is a flawed, sinful human being,
just like the rest of us. And just like
the rest of us, they are in desperate need of prayer—especially because of the
great responsibility that has been placed on their shoulders. So do your part! When you pray, pray for our elected leaders,
whether you like them or not.
Finally, be assured that whether or not you are pleased with
the results of the 2016 election, God is still on God’s throne. Remember, there is only one Savior – Jesus
Christ: “There is one God and one mediator between God and humankind,
Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Tim.
2:5-6). Praise be to God!
