Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
SO HERE WE ARE in the midst of this messy political season– accusations, half-truths and, contradictory statements swirling around us from everywhere. How do we navigate through the confusion to land on the truth of where God would lead us?
In the last few weeks my Bible study has been studying Jesus’ letters to the seven churches in Revelation. In John’s prophetic vision in Revelation, Jesus tells the churches that He is walking among them and sees what they are doing, commending them for what they are doing right and warning them about what they are doing wrong. What he shared with the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira particularly gave me pause as I compared what was happening there to what seems to be happening to many of our churches in America.
Warnings
Jesus commended the Pergamum church for being faithful to God and not denying His name even in the midst of trial. However, Jesus warned them about their toleration of the evil around them. Thyatira was a church where Jesus saw the people offering love, faith, service, and patience, but He also saw the spirit of Jezebel seducing the people into sinful immorality. For those participating in this, he warned that he was bringing a stern judgment. He warned against compromise and complacency.
When I read this, it jolted me into a recognition that many of our churches and many of us as individuals might be teetering on a similar precipice of judgment from God for the very same reasons. We look to scripture for our doctrine. We quote Christian principles. We reach out in service to others. We try to be loving, But at the same time we allow the influence of the worldly culture around us to invade our thinking and decisions, allowing evil practices to proliferate.
Directions
In this election season, those words might provide clarity on some of the guidance we need. Are the decisions we make in the voting booth showing a “tolerance for evil?” Are we giving in to a Jezebel spirit in our choices? Will sinful and evil practices proliferate because of one vote or another? Some of the amendments we vote on are pretty clear in that regard, and we as Christians should be true to Jesus’ admonitions by holding fast to the truth of scripture without caving in to pressures from our culture.
When it comes to candidates, it’s a little more complicated. We know none of them are perfect, but each of them point us toward whatever decisions THEY will make if elected. So considering whether THEIR decisions will “tolerate evil” or allow a “Jezebel spirit” to grow in a culture that is more and more hostile to Christian values may give us an indication of the direction we should take in our voting.
Focus
As we make decisions, it helps to focus on our goals for our nation, state, or city. What do we want things to look like a few years from now and how will each candidate’s decisions match up with those goals? What objectives would God want to point us toward? As we focus on where we want to go to reach those goals, we may have to put up with some unattractive personal preferences that muddy the waters at times, but keeping our eyes on the goal will help us clarify our objectives in decision making. In our personal lives, marriage teaches us that truth as well. When we work toward having a stronger and healthier marriage, there are times when we have to put up with some collateral discomfort and disagreeable habits from our spouse in order to reach our desired goals. Focusing on the goals we want to reach is pivotal in much of our decision making, including the choices we make as citizens in the voting booth.
But no one can dispute the fact that this is a disquieting and stressful time in America. Tensions are high. The screens on our phones continually ping with some explosive new headline. The waiting sometimes seems intolerable. No one knows what to expect.
Hope
So after we as Christians have cast our vote, where should we focus? Where is the hope?
God’s desire is for us to go to Him in prayer and earnestly seek Him. Hosea 7:14 says, “If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”
As we humble ourselves in prayer, spending time with our Savior, and asking God to forgive our sins, we can also ask him to lead us in the direction He wants us to go and guide our leaders and citizens in their decision making.
Through it all, we need to remind ourselves that God is in control. Romans 13:1 tells us “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.“ Whatever happens in this election, we have the assurance of God’s sovereignty and can trust Him for the outcome. Those of us who are believers in Jesus need not be afraid. God has planned the end from the beginning and knows how all the puzzle pieces fit in the middle.
So on election night (and on the day after the election) remember we have this important assurance: “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28).