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Everyone’s Amped Up…

By October 20, 2016August 30th, 2022Devotional

I’ll bet you already know what I am writing about tonight. Yep… the presidential election. Several months ago, I didn’t think that things could heat up any more than they already had, but I have come to believe that I was wrong. With fewer than 3 weeks until the election that will determine who are next president will be, tempers are flaring and everyone is getting angry and stressed.

I don’t know that the third, and last, debate will change anyone’s mind about their preferred candidate, but one thing is for sure. Whichever way this election goes, it will leave damage in its wake and the country will suffer – regardless of who wins.

There have been accusations of Russian involvement in the election, flip-flopping on many issues by both of the major party candidates and allegations of cheating, lying, deception, illegal activities as well as many other charges. Not only is this the most vicious election I can remember during my life, but I am very concerned about the message that we are sending our younger people. It used to be that debates were energetic but at least, for the most part, respectful. Adversaries didn’t get openly involved in bashing each other and I can’t remember a time when the candidates wouldn’t even shake hands with each other, let alone their families.

All in all, I think it is pretty disgusting. In fact, Janet and I turned off the debate and watched something else last night. At this point in the process, it’s the same old stuff. I don’t think anything could change my mind at this time and I even get tired of hearing from my own candidate. And I wish, while I am on the subject, that Chris Wallace had the authority to just shut off the microphones when the candidates would not answer the questions or honor the process.

Both candidates profess a belief in God but neither one acts like they truly live their faith. I know Christians who won’t engage in a lawsuit against one another – in deference to biblical mandates to work out our differences with one another – but both parties are engaged in numerous ways to hurt their competition. It is important for us to remember that whoever wins the election God is still in charge and on the throne.

We must also remember to temper our emotions when it comes to this election. Many of us are deeply passionate and yet, we are willing to argue and divide families to support our position against somebody else who is just as passionate for the opposition. I would hardly think that we need to be reminded that this isn’t the Civil War when fathers fought sons and brothers fought brothers, all in the name of slavery… I certainly hope that cooler heads can prevail this time.

The verse for this evening highlights what Jesus thought about these arguments and how they should be handled. We are told by Matthew in his Gospel, in Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Much has been made throughout the years about this verse. People think it is incredible that Jesus expects us to forgive so many times. After all, most of us think we are doing well when we forgive someone once or twice.

But that’s not the heavenly standard. God expects much more from us – after all, He has a plan and already knows the outcome of what will happen in several weeks. My encouragement this evening is that when this is all over, life will continue and the healing of the effects of this election can, hopefully, begin. My prayer is that you will remain as calm as possible during the weeks coming up and that you will be a part of the cure – not a part of the problem. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…

One Comment

  • Dave Toussaint says:

    Scott
    Great points. I could not listen to the last debate, it upsets me so much. So I did not and went to sleep rather than be all worked up. It is amazing to me all this is happening. But when I think how FAR we have gone from really believing and acting like we believe in GOD then I understand. I could go on and on, but will leave it there.
    thanks
    Dave

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