― Julian of Norwich
This quote is very much needed these days in our world and our country. Tomorrow is Election Day for our country's president. The last four years have been marked with strife and fighting and political divisiveness between parties and often made worse by media outlets. We hear nothing good most days. We just hear bad news. But in fact, lots of good stuff has happened in our country the last four years. If you care to look it up, you will be able to find it.
But I write to remind us that God is the one who puts people in places of authority and power. Daniel 2:21 says, "World events are under his control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones. He gives wise men their wisdom and scholars their intelligence."
It is important for us to vote if we are able because we then take part in the larger national conversation of where we as citizens want our country to go.
But there is no need to worry about the future. God is already there waiting for us. We Believers have the same job no matter who happens to be our president: to love God and love people. To share His good news of forgiveness and salvation to the hurting. To reach out to the marginalized. To not take advantage of others. To speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. To show all humans respect and give them their dignity.
What if, no matter who wins, we all decide to not label others in negative ways? That we decide not to lump a group of people together. To not see people as them or us, as belonging to one of two camps? What if we decide to meet people where they are at and love them for Jesus?
What if we leave the labels for medical diagnoses (where sometimes they are necessary) and instead take one person at a time and give each person the benefit of the doubt believing they too probably want the same things you do?
God is in control. God takes care of His people. And Romans 10:13 says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”
God doesn't want anyone to perish but all to come to Him. Let's make this our aim. Let's forget about political labels. Let's not even malign those we see in the media -- for if the media doesn't tell the whole truth about one person, they probably don't tell the whole truth about all people. Let's remember that Jesus loves every single person. And we are to do the same.
We are not to gossip about others. This includes those we know only from news programs. This includes our national leaders of both parties. This includes people in our communities we don't see eye-to-eye with. Everyone wants to be loved. That is what we are called to do.