Well, the election didn’t go as I had planned.
Yes, me, planning (errr….controlling?). Imagine that!
I was quite discouraged. To the point of not being able to sleep very well.
The next morning, my beautiful Ethiopian daughter had some wise words for me.
“Mom, maybe God knows something we don’t. Maybe [the other guy] wouldn’t have been good. Maybe God knows something about him that we don’t.”
Ahhhh…..wise words.
I’d actually been thinking along those lines, about how God is control. But it was so cool to hear it from my 11 year old daughter.
And you know what? I need to depend on Him more. In everything. Especially in those things which I have no control over. He ALWAYS ALWAYS has a plan. And His plan is best.
Do you know what I can do? I can make sure (with His divine help) that my kids learn about Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. I can be a godly influence to those around me.
The night of the election I read Jude. Yes, the whole book. Aren’t you impressed?
Ya, it’s like one page.
It said in verses 18-19, “’In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’ These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”
Isn’t that so true of now? There seems to be so many that have no desire to follow Christ. And among Christ-followers, are we not often divided? Democrats and Republicans. Christian School and Public School. Infant baptism and Adult baptism. And on and on.
Why do we let these things divide us? Divide Christians? True Christ-followers who believe in the Bible as God’s word and in the saving blood of Christ?
But, again, I can only “control” (I say that word lightly, cuz what control do I really have?) things around me. Does that mean I shouldn’t vote or get involved in politics? Absolutely NOT! But, maybe that means I shouldn’t lose sleep over it. Do what I can do and know that it’s in God’s hands.
The next verses say, “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire;”
So what can I do when it feels like our world is going in the wrong direction? I can build up my faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and spend time in God’s love as I wait for Jesus to return or bring me home. I can show others mercy. Even those–especially those–who’s views I disagree with. Not sacrificing my integrity and beliefs, but loving them. And maybe, just maybe….God will let me have a part in snatching someone from the fire.
I challenge you to read the book of Jude. Besides, if you haven’t before, then you can say you’ve read an entire book of the Bible! God Bless.
