But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you – 2 Timothy 4:5 NLT
Tomorrow is Election Day. Perhaps I should say, the start of election week, for we probably won’t know the full results for several days. If you have been paying attention, you may be feeling the stress of it all. We face the threat of political violence, and, depending on who wins, the possible death of democracy, which, for all its flaws, seems to be the best form of government this side of the Second Coming. I tend to agree with Winston Churchill, who said, ‘democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.’
My Mom, God rest her soul, used to say, half-jokingly, ‘always expect the worst, and you’ll never be disappointed.’ I have pretty much adopted that mantra as I head into the week. I fear that the results of this election will change things dramatically, and not for the better. It seems likely that dozens, if not hundreds, of election deniers, Christian nationalists, and white supremacists (not to mention their enablers) will win key offices at both the state and federal level. Should this happen, the perilous times we find ourselves in will become, well, more perilous.
Pondering such thoughts these past few days, I began to worry. But then I recalled a post I wrote just two years ago, just prior to the 2020 election. You can check that post here. Back then, I made two Christian ‘to do’ lists, one to employ in the event Trump won, the other if Biden won. Today, I just want to remind you all, and me, of those lists. So here they are, with slightly modified titles:
List One – Things to do if the Republicans win big this week
- Hope
- Pray
- Stand against racism and bigotry
- Speak up for immigrants and refugees
- Care for Creation
- Advocate for and serve the poor and vulnerable
- Speak truth
- Do justice
- Love God
- Love my family
- Love my neighbors
- Love my enemies
- Seek the Kingdom
- Anticipate the return of Jesus
- Point people to Jesus
Yes, should the Republicans win, it will be important, as in life and death important, to do all these things. On to list two:
List Two – Things to do if the Democrats unexpectedly win big this week
- Hope
- Pray
- Stand against racism and bigotry
- Speak up for immigrants and refugees
- Care for Creation
- Advocate for and serve the poor and vulnerable
- Speak truth
- Do justice
- Love God
- Love my family
- Love my neighbors
- Love my enemies
- Seek the Kingdom
- Anticipate the return of Jesus
- Point people to Jesus
Get the picture?
The situation is no different than it was in 2020. No matter who wins this election, the mission of those who follow Jesus will not change. We will still live in a world that is broken and in need of a Savior. We will still need to live as the advance echoes of the world that is to come. We will still need to stand at the crossroads of culture and show the world the peculiar way of God’s people. True enough, some of the things on the list will perhaps be more or less challenging depending on who wins. But the mission will not change at all.
This gives me hope today, as it did in 2020. No matter what happens tonight, even should the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, God remains our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1-2). Jesus remains our Lord and Savior. The Kingdom remains the place of our citizenship. And the mission is the same.
This, as it did in 2020, gives me hope today. I hope if gives you hope too.
Whatever happens folks, be ready. We have work to do.
Under Christ’s Mercy,
Brent