Not Left, Not Right, But Narrow

It isn't even lunchtime yet on the day after the election. But, if my social media circles are any kind of barometer for where my fellow Americans are at right now, emotionally, it's clear we're still very much a divided country. Many who voted for Donald Trump, who has won this election in a surprising upset and in even more surprisingly dominant fashion (unless you decry the electoral college), are heaving sighs of relief that Hillary Clinton won't be running America into the ground. Meanwhile, those who voted for Hillary Clinton (or an independent) are insisting that, because of Trump, America is about to be run into the ground over the next 4 years. 

Politically, there's almost no agreement in any arena or demographic. Women are asking other women how they could possibly vote for someone who has a laundry list of chauvinist or even (allegedly) sexually abusive sins. But other women are asking how they should be expected to vote for someone just because she's a female candidate. 

On and on it goes. For many, the very reason why some of you voted for Mr. Trump is the very reason why someone close to you voted for his opponent, and vice versa. 

But I want to shine a light one thing we can all hopefully agree on: 

What's done is done. Our votes have spoken. It's out of our hands now, and all we can do is get back to business. 

And just what is our business? If you're a Jesus-follower, this is just a reminder. If you're not a believer or you're in a season of doubt, this is a tip-off to what our playbook is going forward:

We're not going to worry about the Left. We're not going to worry about the Right. We're going to worry about the Narrow.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

Christians should definitely research political candidates, and exercise their civic duty to impact elections of those who are to govern their nation or communities, just like everybody else. That's the beauty of a democracy. But, unlike everybody else, we don't need to lose sight of who the major players are in what happens in the aftermath. 

That's you and me, fellow Jesus-followers. Armed with all that God provides through his Spirit, we carry at all times a message that offers our fellow man a source of hope that extends past this earthly journey and far overshadows whether America becomes great again or not. 

Clinton supporters and Trump supporters alike - if they're Christian - need to lay aside their personal feelings about whether this election just went as it should've, and GET BACK TO BUSINESS. God has always been in the business of saving souls for eternity, and we are his business partners. 

So think long and hard about the narrow, treacherous, yet ultimately rewarding path that you and I are walking on towards our eternal destiny. Now think about how many others around us we need to recruit to our numbers. 

Our country may or may not always provide the kind of freedom we have now, to go out and make disciples wherever we can find them, and keep them off the highway to spiritual destruction. But doggone it, no matter what happens, that's our mission. 

So whether you're worried about the Left or the Right, politically, let's remember that there's no time like the present to go do God's work, being a light that shines before others and illuminates their steps onto the Narrow Road. That's where we're all meant to be.

To God be the glory in all things, and may others find Him through me. 

Just the Right Time

Ten years ago now - man, that's hard to believe! - I was in seminary. It was a place where, among other things, I learned how to deliver a sermon. One of the biggest tips I've carried with me that I hope infuses every occasion when I talk about Jesus to anyone else, was to "make and preach every sermon first to yourself." What I'm about to write here I definitely have to also meditate on myself every bit as much as I want you all to. Cuz, believe me, I need to hear this too. It's so hard not to be emotional about what's about to happen with tomorrow's election.

And by the way, I know I'm not the first in this election season to promote the message that's to follow, but hopefully, as we're coming down to the last 24 hours of Election Season 2016, mine can be one of the last and thereby, one of the stronger messages, to pass by your eyes before you make it to the polls (and, if you're one of those early voters, this can still apply). 

Let me lay some Scripture on you:

"[Christ Jesus] gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time." - 1 Tim. 2:6 (NLT)

This passage is incredibly timely, don't you think? I mean, isn't it amazing how ANY time is the right time to be reminded about our freedom in Christ. As the NIV Bible translates that verse's first part, we were "ransomed" by Jesus. We were held as hostages of Satan, sitting in a heap of shame on the floor of the bank vault with a vest full of C-4, and the Devil's thumb on the detonator. Then in walked Jesus, and he said, "Here, take my life instead, and let these people go free." And that's what happened. 

Don't get me wrong, these ARE troubling times for sure. We're about to watch an election unfold, the stakes of which have never been higher, between two candidates who couldn't be more polarizing, and no one really knows what to expect next. 

Many Christians fear what will happen to our country's future if Hillary Clinton is elected. And even among Donald Trump supporters there are very few who have a lot to stand on, to insist that he's a sure bet to lead us to greener pastures as a nation. We're all just holding our breaths, hoping it doesn't end up as badly as it feels like it could. 

But even though the expected implications of this election are worrisome or uncertain at best, or downright terrifying (from a political standpoint) at worst, let's all just chill out. We don't need to be truly fearful. 

At the end of the day, God is once again standing by with a banner of his own waving...and it says "I have given you true freedom through Jesus!"

That's right, at the end of tomorrow, when the results are coming in and we're all glued to our TV sets, nibbling our fingernails clean off, Jesus will still be our savior. We'll still have a message to consider that, once again, comes at just the right time. 

No matter what happens tomorrow, Jesus is Lord. No matter whether we keep our earthly freedoms, gain some back, or lose even more, Jesus is Lord. No matter whether we see our religious freedoms restricted or protected, Jesus is Lord. No matter whether our country heads down a road toward tyranny or even complete collapse, Jesus is STILL Lord. We want the best for ourselves and our children, but once this life is over, and once this world exists no more, we who place our trust for eternity in Jesus Christ will have a home with complete justice and freedom, pure love and equality, shining with real safety and prosperity, and radiating with the presence of our King. 

If the thought of your salvation, and heaven as your eternal home, hasn't been pondered heavily enough lately, PLEASE - - you owe it to yourself. It's great news, and especially right now, it's a message coming to you at JUST THE RIGHT TIME!