Election Day Message
A contemporary of John Newton, a man by the name of Joseph Irons (1785-1852) penned the poem “Union,” that appears in Prevailing Prayer: What Hinders It?, the famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody’s 1884 book.
Here are Irons’ timely words to ponder in this season:
Let party names no more be known
Among the ransomed throng;
For Jesus claims them for His own;
To Him they all belong.
One in their covenant Head and King,
They should be one in heart;
Of one salvation all should sing,
Each claiming his own part.
One bread, one family, one rock,
One building, formed by love,
One fold, one Shepherd, yea, one flock,
They shall be one above.
Remember, this was written several hundred years ago.
In America, we need more disciples, those who sacrificially devote themselves to Christ in word and deed, modeling the fruits of the Spirit rather than debating to make them digestible for New Age consumption. We need generations of disciplined followers whose lives will be marked by service, not selfishness; although that also means at times having enough holy moxie to raise one’s hands in objection to a world that is hurting and fading away, that Jesus nevertheless still loves (John 3:16-21). In the recent John Wick film series, there is constant talk of “fealty,” which signifies a kind of oath-driven loyalty or devotion. These days, the way many professing Christians speak, think, and respond to life’s adversities reflect fealty only to themselves or those who agree with them; not the God of Scripture they contend to be in love with.
It would be peachy keen if every iota of life were easily categorized into buckets of good or bad. However, this is far from reality. Of course, there are more than a few absolutes, but countless complexities that are absent any surefire GPS directions to the left or right. Part of what blurs our vision is the fallen nature of mankind, but we are also lovingly held at bay by the mysterium tremendum of God, that can confuse and comfort all at the same time. The point being, we only know so much about so much, and it is good to confess that, as we forge ahead making decisions as best as we can after individual and collective wrestling matches with God.
Political systems exist in extremely muddy, standing water that is surrounded by contamination and hungry mosquitoes. In not being known to bring out the best in us, politics are messy because we are. But politics are everywhere, and they are obviously good to engage in, but to do so responsibly. Jesus was NOT a politician, although he was political simply in that he maintained his own agenda, flawlessly divine as it was, amidst warring factions around him. In John 18:36, Jesus replied to one politician, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” The Kingdom Jesus upholds, to fully enact upon his final return, is upside-down where the first are last and the last are first, where justice and judgement are on display perfectly.
You and I are political beings. We have perspectives about how our country, state, city, and the street we reside on should operate. That’s normal. If it were up to me Holland’s overnight on-street parking restriction would be no more, all squirrels and mice would be evicted from the lot I pay taxes on, and fireworks within a 20-bock vicinity would be banned. And I have thoughts about more important matters as well, as do you and yet there is no utopic theological, geopolitical, social, economic, or other place we will arrive at on this side of heaven.
Jesus is our king. Jesus is our portion. Jesus is the way, truth, and life (John 14:6). When we act foolish, as if our chosen candidate is messianic, whose win or loss serves as a license to throw a Superbowl or World Series championship party or take matters into our own hands, shame on us!
The heavy divisiveness we have observed today helps me to cling to God even more, as my refuge or safe space. Choosing to “fight, flight, fawn, or freeze” are not the only options. In the end, none of us are accountable for how someone else votes. It is a private matter. I hope that you see your way to vote, but whether you do or not and regardless of who you vote for, know that God loves you. And considering His sacrifice (Romans 5:8-9), please know that as your pastor, I have nothing but love for you!
Years ago, Richard Joel, the then president of the historic Yeshiva University, challenged the institution to be one that “ennobles and enables—that ennobles students in purpose, and enables them in capacity to dream and to fulfill those dreams for self and humankind.” Being used by God to pursue His righteousness in a Topsy-turvy world that is beautiful yet broken, even while observing the guardrails, guidelines, and instructions of Scripture, is not always clear-cut. Therefore, we lament, and work, and pray, both offer and receive correction, laugh, celebrate, and trust God to work through us and in spite of us.
In The Hope of the Gospel: Theological Education and the Next Evangelicalism, Mark Young, who retired recently as the president of Denver Seminary, wrote: “…hope makes the power of the gospel immanent. It urges us to lean into our faith in Christ even when doing so seems to make little sense. The hope of the gospel gives meaning to life in a world that wobbles on a thin ledge above the twin hells of nihilism and hedonism.”
We are people of hope, and we do not hope in a vacuum of sameness, perfection, or bliss, but of contextualized hardship and yearning. Politics are hard to make sense of among the most devout. It always has been and likely always will be, and that is okay. The King of Kings remains unseated on the throne irrespective of elections.
There will be outcomes everyone must face, whether of Christian faith or not, once the presidential results are officially confirmed. None of that, however, comes close to usurping our call to faithfully engage the culture as prophets, radical caretakers, and wise, sober-minded ambassadors of heavenly values while living on earthen soil.
I know it can be scary, but hang in there!
—Pastor James
