standing with hope

by molly klima

Regardless of the outcome of this election, Christian, our duties remain the same:

• Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength (Deut. 6:5)
• Do not bear a grudge or seek revenge, but love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18)
• Care for the widow, the orphan, and the poor (James 1:27, Prov. 29:7)
• Go and make disciples (Matt. 28:19)
• Remove the log out of your own eye before pointing out the speck in another (Matt. 7:5)
• Let all that you do be done in love, stand firm, be on guard, be courageous (1 Cor. 16:13-14)
• Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)
• Take heart, do not be afraid (John 16:33)
• Do not let your anger lead to sin (Ephesians 4:26)
• Fix your mind on what is true, honorable, right, pure, admirable, and holy (Phil 4:8)

Our citizenship is in Heaven. (Phil 3:20) Our allegiance is to God alone. This place is not our home and we are strangers passing through. Jesus is our only savior. America is not in the Bible. We are not a chosen nation. Fear is not of God. Salvation is not based on your vote. Hostility and vitriol breed hostility and vitriol. Your children are watching. Your children are listening. Honor God in what you do, even if those around you are not. Show respect, even if those around you are not. As much rage as we may have at the outcome of this election, praying for your leaders (1 Tim 2:1-2) and enemies (Matt 5:44) is still what we are asked to do.

A lot of us Americans are so comfortable that an actual dependence on God does not seem necessary. Some of us don’t even realize it. While the cultural effect of our faith may be something we long for, who is willing to take up their cross and follow Jesus, not a politician? It’s one thing to defend a policy, it’s another to defend a person who has claimed to be someone they’re not. Politicians may have solutions or advisors to help with the economy or healthcare, but they don’t have the solution for our souls. When we actually take the time to calm down and look for the source of our groaning, I think the source of our groaning is just that, our souls longing for Home. The world is broken and no one person here is going to fix it. We are used to being the dominant influence and power in this beautiful USA. I believe those days are gone, regardless of who wins this election.

Our greatest freedom as a Christ follower is not wrapped up in our Constitution or a house bill, though I appreciate the Constitution and legislation is obviously necessary. Our greatest freedom is found in the grace of the cross and  freedom from sin. This is the true freedom from darkness and separation from God. It is the reality that no matter what you do today, His mercies are new every morning. (Lam. 3:23) It is the reality that nothing can separate you from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39) I am thankful to live in America. I am thankful for freedom of speech and the ability to write this post. I am thankful to worship without fear on Sunday mornings, read my Bible in public, and gather with my small group in my home. I am thankful to be a white mom raising Black sons and that my sons can marry whatever woman they love regardless of her race. (A governor candidate in a different state has said he wants interracial marriage to return  to a state issue) I am thankful my sons will be able to vote with no extra requirements or ridiculous tests or poll taxes.

I heard a speaker once say something along the lines of- Yes, you have rights, but you gave up ALL your rights when you decided to follow Christ. Your right to exude dominance over another person. Your right to think too highly of yourself. Your right to ignore those who are most vulnerable and inconvenient to you. Your right to demand it be your way or the highway. Your right to do whatever you want with no regards of consequences or consequences for those around you…and it’s true. Following Jesus means laying all of that down.

I just want to remind us, no president will save us. Spreading the gospel and loving others in the name of Jesus? That’s up to us. Caring for our neighbor and the downtrodden? That’s up to us. Showing concern, care and gentleness to those who oppose the faith? That’s up to us. Pointing others to Jesus? That’s up to us. Is your heart breaking for something that breaks His? The president won’t fix it, but you can serve your community. You can love your family as Christ loves the church. You can be bold and bridge the gap. Whatever your burden, anxiety, anger, or fear is-He can hold it all. Even better, He wants to.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I write none of this lightly. I am concerned about our future. I’m not saying that the results of this election will be inconsequential. I feel the pressure at the grocery store, the gas pump. I would agree with you that America as a whole is in a state of moral decline in an array of areas. I spent more time last week praying, processing with my husband, friends and pastor and reading my Bible than I have in a very long time. I cried. I raised my voice. I talked with those who agree with me and those who don’t. I got overwhelmed with anxiety. So just know, I write this for myself just as much as I write it for you. May I and may you lay the burden of this election with Jesus, may we take His yoke upon us, may we allow Him who is humble and gentle to teach us, and may we truly find rest for our souls.

Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and i will give you rest. take my yoke up on you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29)

A wise woman once told me, “Don’t follow people, follow Jesus.”