Mature perspectives need to prevail for Christians and election results: Responding to the 47th president

I stayed up until after 2:00 in the morning watching the results come in, it was a stressful evening to say the least.  I have friends and family members on both sides of the political divide, I'm seeing some rejoice and celebrate today, and others lament the election results, some flaunting and rubbing it in, others deeply grieved, I am not seeing a lot of balance on social media and that is the goal of this post, to bring some balance into perspective... 

When one pollical party takes power and one loses power, there is a shift in attitude and an exaggeration of jeopardizing democracy and liberty, this pendulum swings back and forth every time.  Mature believers will abstain from demoralizing language, regardless if their choice won or lost, and this should be true in each and every election we participate in.   

Why? Because of God’s role in setting up world-leaders. According to the Bible, “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” (Daniel 2:21 ESV). And who is front and center on Daniel’s mind as he says this? Nebuchadnezzar, the same one who ordered the destruction of Jerusalem and subsequently exiled God’s people. In Jeremiah 25:9 & 27:6, Jeremiah said Nebuchadnezzar was God’s servant!

Nebuchadnezzar was an idolatrous-bloodthirsty dictator, and paradoxically God handed the world to him on a silver platter, Dan 2:37-38, "37 You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, 38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold."

Every election cycle is portrayed as the most vital one to date; each new election cycle is hyped-up more than the last one. Americans are constantly being told that this is “the most important election ever in our Nation’s history.” We are cautioned, our “Liberty is at stake,” we are warned our “freedoms and way of life” are on the line -- this hyperbolic propaganda is repeated around the clock, all the while ignoring God's role in assigning positions of authority.

Our way of voting is rather new. The Bible was written in the historical context of monarchies and Theocratic imperialism. If you search your Bible forever you won’t find the words “Democratic elections” or “Voters rights.” Instead, we read: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” (Romans 13:1-2)

“Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (I Peter 2:13-17)

In other words, from these three passages, it is not up to us to establish the political leadership. It is our obligation to be submissive to political leaders and to pray for them, regardless of whether we agree or disagree with them.

Further yet, consider Jesus’ response to Pilate’s interrogation in John 18:36-37, “36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

As the church we have an obligation to live faithfully, even in a world rife with political corruption -- we are blessed today with unimaginable freedoms that allow us to participate in our elections, this serious obligation is not to be taken lightly. Ultimately, as we participate in and observe political results we must consider, our kingdom isn't of this world, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ...” (Philippians 3:20)

Satisfaction as "second Fiddle"???

 Two songs I love deeply were made famous by artists other than the writer and original performer of the songs.  Years would go by before the videos were shot of the "new" renditions, and the song-writers made "cameo" appearances in the videos and most people have no clue.  I wonder how the creators of the great content felt playing "second fiddle" to the more popular musicians?  

First example: The guy on the slide guitar off to the right of your screen is Darrel Scott, he wrote "never leave Harlan alive" but most people who know the song have no idea.  

The same is true for "Poncho & Lefty"  Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard made it poplar, but Townes Van Zandt wrote it, and most people do not know that either.   Van Zandt makes a modest cameo in the video for the first time a 1:01 in the video, he's seated a table: 

I think most of us struggle for recognition and we crave receiving credit where credit is due.  I think for Darrel Scott and Townes Van Zandt, it had to be tough to see someone else in the spotlight getting all the attention for their hard work, but neither seems to struggle with it from all outward appearances.  

I think the lesson here is that seeing your efforts and creations go further than you ever took them or further than your capability to carry them is rewarding in itself.  If we have the proper attitude, we can find satisfaction without the spotlight.