It’s been a week. And depending on your perspective, it’s either been a really good one or a really hard one. Few fall in-between.
But no matter where you fall on the spectrum of the election results, if you’re a Christian, there should be a noticeable difference.
Why? Because regardless of what your perspective is on what’s best for our country – your fellow man wasn’t the one who brought about what you wanted or didn’t want. This was a part of God’s plan all along, and he has purposes for it.
And that goes for both sides of the aisle. You don’t put your hope in a president and your hope doesn’t die with the results you didn’t get.
Because our hope never was, never is, and never will be in who runs our country.
As people, we are all free to have our viewpoints and opinions, but ask yourself: do those opinions and viewpoints carry so much weight, that those who differ from you means they’re less of a Christian, or a threat to what you believe is best?
I think it’s good for us to ask ourselves: If someone who doesn’t know me were to look at my words and actions right now, would they know more of who I want (or don’t want) to run our country or someone of unwavering faith in the One who rules over both?
Because while it certainly matters who we believe is best to make decisions for our country, it’s not what defines us, and it shouldn’t be what divides us. Because it’s temporal, not eternal.
I’m NOT saying that it doesn’t carry weight, because it does. It matters who makes decisions on where we stand on important issues that DO matter to the heart of God and each of us. But if what comes out of us is either gloating over those who are unhappy, or anger towards those who were a part of bringing about what we didn’t want – both are off-center from the heart of Christ. And both reflect a misguided amount of weight being put in one leader, in one moment in history.
Friends, leaders will come and go – both the good and the bad. But none are outside of God’s sovereign control. And that should bring a unifying peace to all who rest in that truth.
In the end, if we truly believe that this world is not our ultimate home, and that we are not at the mercy of chance, we have to remind ourselves to step back and take inventory of whether our thoughts, actions, and emotions reflect that or not.
God is NOT surprised by anything. And if we trust that he remains in control, whether we are happy or not about the results, we can feel a range of emotions, but do so undergirded with the peace and confidence that the One we trust is just as trustworthy on the 6th as he was on the 4th.
Even among true followers of Jesus, there will always be things we differ on – baptism, end times, style of worship music, biblical counseling, countless “gray areas” of decision making in life, and views on government, policies, and leaders. But in the end, if the truth of the gospel and the sovereignty of God undergirds everything else, we stand on the same solid, unifying ground. As soon as our hope starts to get lopsided or put in the wrong place, cracks of division begin – and the enemy gains ground.
Friends, no matter where you stand right now – take a step back and remember that the only solid ground and true hope we stand on is that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is not more or less trustworthy or in control because of who he allows to lead this country.
All that to say, remember that there will be people you know and love who feel relieved and thankful right now, and others who may feel differently. As in all things, extend grace to those processing a result that they viewed through a different lens. Just like in everything, we all have a unique framework that’s shaped by our own experiences and perspectives, even when we truly believe we have a hope beyond those things. We’ll all know people on both sides of the fence and need to remember to be patient and show empathy toward those with differing views – believing the best in each other even if we don’t understand each other.
So, for those who feel relieved right now, remember to temper how much faith is put in one man (or woman). Because no ONE person has the power to truly “save” anyone or anything except for Jesus alone. And for those who feel angry, afraid, etc…I also encourage you to remember to not give more weight to one man or woman than you do to the One who put them in place of leadership to accomplish his purposes “for such a time as this”.
Today, and going forward, may people look at us and know more about the God we serve, than the man or woman we voted for. Shaming, blaming, gloating, laughing, wishing harm, or questioning people’s salvation over their voting choices is not reflective of the One who laid down his life for us. May we instead be a beacon of hope, peace, and love toward all those around us because we truly believe we can trust the One who rules over the outcome.
Right now, we have the ability to be a light to those who are desperately searching for a firm footing in an unstable world. Whether you’re relieved or disheartened right now, may we not be people who drive others away from our One true hope because we’ve traded it in for a cheaper version.
This country desperately needs a beacon of hope that doesn’t come and go every four years. So friends, let’s hold the hope of Christ high alongside of our brothers and sisters of all walks of life and viewpoints.
The body of Christ has a powerful opportunity to put on display either the unifying love of Christ, or the division that comes from placing our hope in the things of this world. May we lead by example with the unwavering hope of Jesus, and a love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
“O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” 2 Chronicles 20:6
Home is around the corner,
Sarah
P.S. This is not meant to be a political post or stance, it’s merely to an imperfect attempt to encourage believers to step back and remember what’s of highest importance right now.
Set Apart 
“Whether you’re relieved or disheartened right now, may we not be people who drive others away from our One true hope because we’ve traded it in for a cheaper version.”
AMEN! Our hope is not in any one person. We are all deeply flawed, and those flaws have come out in all their ugliness over the past few months. Even now that the election is over, the mud-slinging continues. If we (Christ-followers) really want to stand out, we will live our lives as we always have (or should have), with a joy that doesn’t change with the circumstances and a love that doesn’t depend on the other person’s political stance. When others are sick of the nastiness, may they be drawn to us as to a breath of fresh air.
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Amen!!
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Just letting you know it’s the weirdest thing, I was responding in comment to your blog on Unity but it posted here. I think it was something I did wrong or my phone, but for the life of me I can’t find an edit button or any way to change anything or repost it in the correct place. So I guess it’s staying where it’s at🤷♀️💞🙏
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Haha, no worries!
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Amen and amen. Well written.
There is one other thing that I have found much needed among those claiming Christ in the western world and that is the need to see equally The Faults of the person in the mirror, equally those things in need of judgment and repentance of those within our Circle, as we do those whom we are at odds with.
When we look at the things that the Bible says are sins, for example greed is a horrible horrible sin in both Old and New Testament and lack of love for neighbor -not getting into the mix of those oppressed but living for Comfort, complacency and materialism – is just as evil of a sin in the Bible as sexual immorality, but for some reason I don’t find those topics of greed and pride equally addressed in many churches and Christian circles.
Ultimately we cling to the cross of Jesus Christ, and yes most certainly we must acknowledge sin to be sin, and to live lives of honest repentance – being honest with God where we are at and with what we can and cannot do, striving to do the best we can, but clinging to his grace and His perfection and the cross for the many times we fail – we cannot truthfully correct, judge or rebuke others without acknowledging that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Love must always be the motive. Never pride.
Moses came to bring the law. Grace and truth came from Jesus Christ. I pray that the next 4 years and every year after in America, we might grow in the word of God, grow in his love and his truth and in his grace and be just as passionate about allowing the spirit of God to correct the person in the mirror as we are those whom we see as opposition.
I believe, I could be wrong, but I believe Unity must always find its place at the cross. Speaking the truth of God’s laws and judgment, while eagerly, earnestly giving and receiving his grace. I pray we walk in peace with one another and share that love with those who do not know the power that we have in Jesus Christ.
Sarah, Your blogs are a treasure. Thank you.
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Beautifully written with a heart devoted to Jesus. Thank you, Sarah. 🙂
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A much needed post. Thank you for your grace-filled insights, Sarah!
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Empathy enables children to become active participants in a caring community. By fostering empathy, we help them develop resilience, kindness, and the ability to support others, setting them up for a lifetime of meaningful connections.
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