The shovel dug into dirt but a few times, beginning my November quest and already something is pulled from the crevices of unseen. Joy, in the inconspicuous.
Is there Thanksgiving being offered up today? The day after a new leader was born, one who seems to lead us further from our once proclaimed: One Nation Under God? A day of mourning for many who value human life, and Creator-God?
Is Christendom defeated? Is our government lost? What will transpire in the next four years? How many babies will be lost? How much further with parents and children be split in the name of educational reform? What path will this leadership take us down?
I don't know and...I am scared.
I try not to get political on this blog, mainly because: it just ain't a pretty sight these days. Even so, government and politics are constantly on my mind (thanks be to my wonderfully vigilent husband...) and no less so today post-election than the weeks leading up the "the big day". I am not shocked who won, I expected it. But I am scared. VERY scared. At where we are heading, and how fast.
So....how can I find joy in this?! How can I offer prayers of gratitude when God COULD have blown us all out of the water and elected a fantastic, Christian man into the presidency (notice, I didn't say McCain)? WHY didn't He, if he could?
Yet, joy I have. Joy, in the unknown. Joy in the admitting uncertainty that weighs my heart. Joy in knowing I don't HAVE to understand, only believe. Joy that I am NOT in control, but He is.
"What will the world do now?" I wonder. This nation, that is wounded. Hurt. Bleeding.
What travesties will this man, our new leader, bring to our nation? To our babies? To our families? The fear nearly swallows, until I remember the truth:
Nothing that God doesn't first allow.
Barack Obama is not higher than God. Even he, mere mortal, is directed by God.
God has allowed Barack Obama to be leader, just as He allowed Caesar power and a throne to Herod.
I don't understand, but I don't have to. I must only trust and beseech. Do we believe that God can turn the hearts of the wicked? If this is true, we have hope. Do we believe that God is in control? If the answer is yes-then REJOICE! Do we affirm that God is more sovereign than nations? Then, THANKS BE TO GOD.
We are not lost. God has not forsaken us. And, thanks be to God, the pressure is not on us. (If it were, wouldn't we make a mess of things?!?) It is on God. What great hope and comfort it is--to be able to rely on One who is reliable, and not our weak selves.
Now, we watch. We wait. We trust. We pray. We honor God always: in thought and actions. And always, giving thanks.
Thank you Lord, for knowing what it to come, even as my eyes stare blankly into the future. For planning it this way, for working everything out for your own glory and honor. Thank you that the pressure is off of me for directing this nation, this world, your creation. Thank you for revealing yourself to us in Scripture and giving us hope in the words of your Book. You are all powerful, all knowing, and all encompassing--no one is mightier than you. Nothing is out of your control, or your power. Thank you for giving me peace, even in these bleak times. I trust you.
12 comments:
Thank you for your words. I couldn't have said anything more.
Remember that after the people received what they wanted in King Saul, God gave them King David! There is always hope as long as God is on our side - and, we His people, have Him on our side. Of course, you already knew that. But that is where I find my peace today.
Take heart sweet one in knowing that many a breast heaved in sobs over these very issues into the wee hours of the morning. Like you, I found comfort in prayer and Scripture . . . and hope mingled with joy followed. We are not forsaken. I rejoice over Grandma Bibby's encouraging words above.
Also, I encourage you to keep raising your children and tending your godly hearth with your godly husband AND BY ALL MEANS KEEP BLOGGING ABOUT IT. I was raised in a most ungodly home, but the precious gift of godly women tending their homes and loving their children planted seeds of hope in my heart and mentored skills and homecrafted joys that only God could have orchestrated.
Share for all the world to see and know that God's way brings joy. I will be working and praying and blogging right alongside you as we serve our King in a largely godless land that finds us odd and even offensive as we love our God, our husband, and our children.
Blessings to you, precious sister. : )
Nice post. I agree that scared best describes my feelings today. I just read another blog celebrating the election victory, so I'm glad I clicked further to yours for a more sane reflection. I find this verse most appropriate with the uncertain future of this nation.
2 Mac. 6:12-16: Now I beseech those that shall read this book, that they be not shocked at these calamities, but that they consider the things that happened, not as being for the destruction, but for the correction of our nation. For it is a token of great goodness when sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently punished. For, not as with other nations (whom the Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of their sins:) Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer our sins to come to their height, and then take vengeance on us. And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity, he forsaketh them not.
Beautifully written! "Scared" is a good word, although I myself am more apprehensive than plain scared. I keep telling myself this great nation has survived so much in its 200+ years and will survive the next four.
My husband says we need to change the--dang, I can't think of the word--well, to change the 'look and feel' of government once in a while for a wake-up call. It's just too bad it will be 4 more years before the pendulum swings the other way again.
BTW, I didn't vote for him but I wish Obama all the best.
I agree with everything you have said! God is in control and we are not supposed to worry (even though it is human nature)! We must pray for the leaders even though we don't agree with them!
It feels to me much like our nation is getting what we deserve. We continue to move farther and farther away from God, yet *expect* his protection and blessing.
Grandma bibby makes a good point-one I had not thought of. I'm glad I clicked over to comment.
Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts.
Please do keep in mind that much of what Obama promised in his campaign will be tempered by the reality that he is stepping into an extremely angry and broken nation - and the politics that go along. The nation is angry and broken due to the tone and policies set by men of hate and fear. If nothing else, Obama has given many people the hope that we can leave fearmongering behind us. I lost my brother in the WTC on 9/11, and I continue to work in NYC. I have listened to the current administration lie about my brother's murder - and threaten those who would seek the truth about that day - and about many other things. And I continue to pray for them, because we are taught to pray for our leaders. I have given up on their gaining wisdom :). But I do sincerely pray for their souls (and my own - please don't think I meant that self-righteously!).
What I have learned in the past 8 years is that NO man, whether he meets your definition of a Godly man or not, can stop you from loving your husband and children and teaching your children the right way! If our hearts are truly in the Lord, we need not fear anything - and I feel that your heart is with Him! No president of any stripe can take your soul! Please have peace in your heart as you prepare for Bunkin's birth - and let us all pray that Americans as a country (as opposed to certain kind blogging individuals!) can once again learn to love thy neighbor. Kathy
Amen.
There's nothing more to say.
Blessings--
Dana
Thanks for the post.
I have thought some of the same thoughts.
Who knows what is good/bad?
I, too am scared for our country. We talked about politics, and what the election meant before hand with our kids. When we told them that Barak Obama won, they also were scared, and angry. I didn't mean to scare them...truly I did not. However, now I am trying to teach them that no matter who our President is, we are called to respect and pray for him (or her). Pray that God would lead them, and that they would follow. Pray for strength, courage, honor, integrity, and wisdom. No matter the choices our new President has made in the past, He can make new choices for tomorrow. I pray He follows God's will.
Blessings-Andie
I see Obama's election based on his slogans of "HOPE" and "CHANGE" having to do alot with a world in need of the Saviour they do not know. A mere man, Obama, will never be able to offer true HOPE that our Christ gives to not just the rich but also to the poor.
In time, these individuals who think Obama was the answer to their problems will find out he is not. And never can be.
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