Random access musings on the election
The election has come and gone, and as is always the case half of the country is now giddy while the other half is groaning. As for me, I am busily musing and trying to wrap my Christian brain around things. In general, I am glad I know who is over all.
Daniel 4:25 says, “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” In the small view, though, some things make me shake my head. Here are my thoughts.
One: I have rarely ever seen Christians so excited about anything. That includes, sadly, such things as church, Bible reading, prayer, soul winning and holy living.
Two: I agree with a quote by Chris Hewett, a friend of mine. He said “Liberals are acting like Satan just won, and evangelicals are acting like Jesus just won.”
Three: Only in America do people riot, beat up strangers, set fires, and jump up and down on vehicles because they are angry that “Love didn’t trump hate.”
Four: Politicians spend months accusing each other of crimes and misdeeds that would make Stalin blush, and then immediately after the election they hold hands and sing Kumbayah. This is either: A) classiness or B) rank hypocrisy.
Five: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” I suspect obedience to the command to pray for those in authority rises or falls dramatically based on whether or not the candidate we want gets elected.
Six: I heard a man say “Any pastor who fought against Trump needs to resign his pulpit immediately!” I have read my Bible through cover to cover dozens of times. I cannot think of a verse anywhere that lists “opposing a political candidate” as a grounds for disqualification from the ministry. Tonight I shall go check the book of 2 Hezekiah to see if I missed it in there.
Seven: I am so conservative that I have been accused of being “to the right of John the Baptist.” This stance means I never vote for liberals, ever. But I refuse to hate them. God loved them (and me) enough to die for them. Hating them would be a slap in God’s face.
Eight: “Rural America” got spat upon by Hollywood in the aftermath of the election. Taran Killam encapsulated the venom well when he tweeted “Rural = Stupid.” I was surprised by his assertion. Last time I checked, rural (which is derived from the Latin “ruralis”) = “Relating to or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town.” But hey, I am from a rural area, so what do I know.
Nine: Only God is omniscient, and I am nowhere even close. During the primaries, I pulled for and was sure Huckabee was going to win. And then Carson. And then Cruz. And then I was in utter angst sure Hillary would win the election. I have determined that any potential future career as a gambler or prognosticator is probably a very bad idea for me.
Ten: President elect Trump says he is going to build a wall to keep people out. A cheaper suggestion might be to have Baptist ushers standing there holding offering plates and visitors cards for followup, the Jehovah’s Witnesses standing alongside waiting to talk to folks for “a few minutes,” and some Calvinists lecturing that only some of them are elected to come in, while others are elected to be kept out. Whoever has the internal fortitude to cross that line will probably make a fine citizen.
In all seriousness, let us pray for our country, and for our leaders. They themselves (regardless of party) are imperfect, and are leading a nation full of imperfects, and could therefore truly use the aid of a perfect God.
Bo Wagner is pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Mooresboro, N.C., a widely traveled evangelist, and author of several books, including a kid’s fiction book about the Battle of Chickamauga, “Broken Brotherhood.” He can be emailed at 2knowhim@cbc-web.org.