I am writing this post before Tuesday's election. Most of us are feeling very uncertain, worried what life in our state and in the United States will be like if the opposing side wins the election.
I am here to assure you that the work of God's kingdom will continue on Wednesday, regardless of the election's outcome.
Some may disagree with this point, but Jesus didn't build his kingdom on the empires of the earth. In fact, he stayed on the sidelines of the politics of his day. Why? Because Jesus had seen and has seen everything. Governments and empires have risen and fallen and will continue to do so. Jesus didn't come to earth to get involved in that. He came to win hearts and save souls and unveil God's kingdom, which is so great and lasting that it has remained and will prosper regardless of any temporary ruling power. Amen!
What that means to our seven-day practical faith journeys is that the Christian's work simply continues on Wednesday. We are to love God and love neighbor. We are to lift up the poor and needy while living lives worthy of the Gospel. We are to walk with the Holy Spirit, pray to our Heavenly Father, and live according to Jesus's words and actions as revealed in the Bible that we must continue to read regularly. As much as anything, we are to place our hope in Christ rather than man or woman.
One of the greatest examples of keeping your head down in the face of a threatening government came in 1979, when the newly appointed Pope John Paul II went behind the Iron Curtain to preach in his native Poland. More than two million people came to a field outside Krakow to celebrate mass with the Pope.
John Paul's message was not for the people to overthrow the Communist government, but to hope in Christ instead. Here is some of what he said:
"You must be strong with the strength that faith gives!. .You must be strong with love, which is stronger than death. . .When we are strong with the Spirit of God, we are also strong with the faith of man. . .I beg you: Never lose your trust, do not be defeated, do not be discouraged. . .Always seek spiritual power from him from whom countless generations of our fathers and mothers have found it. Never detach yourselves from him. Never lose your spiritual freedom."
The Pope couldn't know that in ten years, communism would crumble. What he did know was that even when we're oppressed, true freedom comes from Christ, who said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free," meaning the truth of God and God's ways.
If you are discouraged or fearful on Wednesday - and you might find yourself still fearful even if your side wins - I urge you to reread what Pope John Paul II said in the midst of communism that appeared powerful and stifling. Remember that our allegiance is to God, and the work of being Jesus's humble, love-sharing servant continues on Wednesday. Let's show up to work.
For further insight on this topic, please find and read my book, "From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom," especially the chapter entitled "Trading Governments and Empires for Jesus's Kingdom."
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