When All is Said and Done

I'm in Austin visiting my family for several days. I was amused when a friend of theirs visited. She put her hands to her ears when the election came up in conversation. She couldn't deal with any thought that President Trump could lose the election. I want to shut my eyes and ears too, but I maintain my peace based on Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep those in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because they trust in You." I'm so thankful for His sweet peace when we fix our minds on Him! I pray for His peace to prevail in our country. Even though news organizations have proclaimed Joe Biden as the newly elected president, we won't know what the outcome will look like until the recount and the electoral process is completed. And, what will that look like? More civil unrest? More riots? More political and cultural fracturing that threatens our future? "Dear God, is peace even possible?" Very quickly, God reels me back in with these words: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10) And, once again I’m reminded that He has the whole world in His hands – and He has such big plans up His sovereign sleeves for our country AND for you and me! Whoever is finally and officially elected as our president and who places His hand on the Bible at His Oath of Office, God's Word tells us to get behind them and honor them – quite unlike how President Trump was treated during his presidency. What a shame He suffered such mistreatment. Those of us on the side of God’s Word know better and should act better -- whatever the outcome. When all is said and done, God's game play book offers us His fail-proof ways to maintain our peace: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a PEACEFUL and QUIET life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3 God’s Word calls us to defend our faith “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). We are to “honor everyone” (1 Peter 2:17), whether they honor us or not. We are to “show no partiality” (James 2:1) as we show the world “brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8). Our work of loving, giving, serving, and living as Christ did should be stronger than ever before. That’s what being a Christ-follower looks like and living with the mindset of “What would Jesus do?” in every circumstance and situation. Let's seize this divisive time as an opportunity to model the “brotherly love” that Jesus showed us. My goal is to love unconditionally and defend our faith relentlessly – that’s what Jesus would do!