Wednesday

A Call to Action

All right, listen up. Yes, I'm talking to you. From McCain supporters, I'm hearing one of two things: nervous 'mugwumping' (that's one of my dad's words and I shall use it often -- I do love it) about the direction of our country and how quickly we will be traveling to eternal damnation in the proverbial handbasket, OR a stoic martyrdom that 'we shall tolerate the next 4 years in a godly manner'. Seriously, is that the best we can do? And, while I'm preaching, let me tell you, I am only speaking to Christians. If you are not a believer, you are welcome to read, but I don't hold you to the same standard that I do my brothers and sisters in Christ -- and some of them need a little bit of a talkin' to...

But for those of us that are believers, let me clue you in on a little something: have you read the book of Revelation? Well, I taught it -- to 4th graders this summer. Allow me to summarize the book for you: WE WIN!!! People, our victory is won, our hope is secure. Why the mugwumping?

The election may not have gone your way. Okay. So will you look like the rest of America who the election did not 'go their way' or will you show that your citizenship is in heaven? And I don't mean to be aloof -- that all of this worldly stuff is 'beneath us'. No, this is the stuff we live in. I just think that we have an opportunity to stand together and do AMAZING things right now -- "reach across the aisle" to use a political term, but meaning something a little different.

For instance, are you afraid of... 'x' happening with this administration (I have an 'x', no doubt). What would happen if, every time you were tempted to worry or gripe about 'x' -- you instead prayed for President-elect (or, at the time, President) Obama? Really, think about it. What if we ALL -- all of us who have fears and anxieties and frustrations about things currently -- made a commitment to pray for Barack Obama BY NAME every day for the next four years. Can you even imagine?

I think this has the opportunity to be our (us believers') finest hour -- a time when believers show that their citizenship in heaven dictates their action and humility rather than their citizenship in a political party in this amazing country we are blessed to live in. What are we doing as believers to show that we are different from the rest? I don't think standing stoically, idly by chanting about God being in control is enough. It's a start, but it isn't enough. Are you praying, fervently praying for those leaders by name? Are you voicing your trust in God or your fear of the future? Does your kindness and love (and prayers) extend beyond party lines?

It's EASY to be kind/ Christian when things go our way. Now that things haven't gone your way, will others be able to see Christ in you? I pray so. As I said, I think this can be our finest hour. I leave you with the following blessing:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21

Oh, precious child of God -- HIS power is at work within us!! The same power that had my Savior rise from the depths of the grave. It's yours for the using and the asking. "With great power comes great responsibility."

May you ditch the mugwumping and shine like the stars in the universe you have been called to be as a child of our King.

11 comments:

Cary said...

Well said.

Although, I do think we need to be careful about assuming McCain to be the default "Christian choice" for the White House. There are many theologically conservative, active Christians out there that are perfectly okay (and some even elated) with an Obama White House.

But nevertheless, well said.

Sarah said...

Cary -- PLEASE hear me saying, "YOU ARE RIGHT" and I truly hope my words don't imply that I believe that, although I think many believers do. I think that God protected us (a little bit) from such pride and haughtiness. Had McCain gotten in office, those of us who are believers AND voted for him might be tempted to assume God voted for "our guy". (I actually saw a fb status that somewhat implied that and it kind of made my skin crawl...) Yeah, scripture says all the time about YOU (meaning 'ME') living my life for His glory, and dying to self, and honoring Him and His children in my actions -- that's pretty much what I have to go on right now...

Donna said...

Amen! Well said and it needs a place in the spotlight! We don't need to be "doom and gloom." I like the idea of praying for our President (no matter who he/she is) by name when something is bothersome to us. Talk about power!

Anonymous said...

Great post, Sarah!

Anonymous said...

I love that word "mugwumping!" I shall use it also, if your dad doesn't mind :)

I hear you.

Roxanne said...

You have already heard of my frustration today with my students and the torrent of absurd name calling and incendiary remarks made out of sheer ignorance and mimicry. What I was TRYING to explain to them (though they would not listen) is that no matter WHO gets "into" the White House, our government is set up so that no ONE man (or woman) has complete control. The Founding Fathers set it up that way--under the guidance of a God who can do whatever he wants whenever he wants with WHOMEVER he wants. AS WELL AS the fact that the person behind this office is, indeed, a person--just like us.

We have a moment of silence every day in my district, and today at 8:17 a.m. I prayed for President-elect Obama. I prayed over and over and over that God protect him and guide him and keep him safe from all harm over the next four years as well as his precious daughters and his wife. And I will continue to pray every day for him and them and all of us, because now that he has been elected, our country cannot do WITHOUT him.

A well-written post, Sarah.

Susan said...

Absolutely!!! Well spoken Sarah Lu. I, too like mugwumping. Great word.

Lisa Laree said...

Yes! Very well put!!!

Donna said...

BTW - that "mugwump" word must have been from our Dads' generation. I grew up with it, too.

Anonymous said...

This is truly excellent!

I know at least two men in your life whose toes are completely flattened by this post!

You go, girl!

Anonymous said...

First time I read this post. A good read and a great point. But I also agree with Cary... I am a CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN and my guy got in. I hate the fact people assume Christians only voted for McCain. :-)