This post-election blog has been in my computer for some time. Words floating around from my head into my fingers, because my brain knew half of the country would be devastated by whatever the results of the election turn out to be and the other half would be gloating. The fight has been intense with each side believing this election is a life or death outcome. I know there will be many tears shed and a post-election increase in fear…if that is even possible. I sit here, weeks before the election, with limited visibly ahead of us. Election weary. Longing for it all to be over. Yet, in my heart, I know the election will not end the turmoil, but will make it more intense.

 I don’t write on politics for several reasons, one being there are enough opinions out there already. There is no need for me to add mine into the mix, especially since I have NO expertise or education in policy, law, economics, or government. Anything I add to the conversation would be purely uneducated nonsense. I prefer to write in such a way to bring hope, encouragement, and maybe some laughter. I want to lighten the load of life, not cloud it with uncertainty and fear…there is enough of that around without my adding to it.

Beyond being completely unqualified to address these topics, I am a cynic when it comes to politics. I don’t believe anything anyone says…on either side. Especially now. So why try to defend either candidate? I don’t.

However, the biggest reason I choose not to write politics, is that back in 2020, God convicted my heart about my attitude and biases. In short, He showed me how my self-righteousness was a part of the problem. How my arrogance and refusal to look at my own part in the current condition of our world was indeed sinful. Since that time, I have been in deep reflection as to where my heart is misaligned with His. I asked Him to realign me to His kingdom.

He took my request very seriously. He has put my heart on the operating table and surgically removed the tendrils of sin…ripped them out by the roots. He did not sedate me during this process. I have felt each painful tear. He continues to go deeper and deeper into the darkness of my heart. He shines His lamp and all the ick that was hidden is revealed to me. It is not a pretty sight. His deft hand is careful, tender, and ruthless. My self-importance and the arrogance of my thoughts and opinions are filthy rags. He is showing me just how filthy. I have no defense. I am guilty as charged. He is faithful to show me, forgive me, and restore me. I have turned off the news. I have refused to listen to any voices. I only want to hear Him. He is the only safe place for my soul.  

That brings me to this blog. In shutting off all media, my heart has been protected to some degree, from all the darts being hurled. In centering my prayers on Him, I have come back to His heart. I trust Him with the outcome of this election, whatever it will be. My prayer has been “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Whatever has happened, His will is done. It may or may not look like what I wanted it to look like, but He is working on all levels. Always. Do I believe in prayer? Do I believe He answers my heart’s cry? Can I trust that somehow, this is what He wanted? That this is part of His plan? One way or another, He is working towards His kingdom coming. It may not be easy. I can either set my eyes on Him or I can close them up tight. I can trust Him, even in hard places, or I can refuse His will and fight for my own.

Letting go of my anger, my outrage, my frustration, and my own opinions, to allow Him to show me His, is the key to humbling myself. And humbling ourselves is the key to His kingdom coming. It is not a kingdom of men. It is a spiritual kingdom. It is a supernatural place that is superimposed over the ways of men. More real than the world we see with our eyes. It comes in the midst of upheaval. It sacrifices the desires of our hearts for the desires of His. Arrogance has no place here. Haughtiness is not a part of the kingdom He is creating. The presence of these attitudes should remind us to set our eyes back on Him…because He is the only one who can bring His kingdom of peace.  No candidate will ever be able to do that.

So, chin up. The world is not ending. Really, it’s not. It only feels that way because we have put so much stock in this world. But it is not our home. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s…your vote…your taxes. Give to God what is God’s…your heart, your mind. Trust him. Whatever happened, happened. He is not surprised or shocked.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27