One Thing

I think we all have seen the hate flying around lately. It isn't politics fault. Politics just brings out what is already in our hearts.

It honestly makes me sad to see people say such horrible things. And today, no matter where you stand on the political scale, I want to share a story with you about myself. I will admit, it isn't a good story about myself and I'm rather embarrassed to write it but I think it might help some others so that is why I am doing it.

For the past eight years, Barrack Obama was my President. I did not agree with pretty much anything he did but that didn't change the fact that he was my President. The extent of me not liking my President was hate. I admit it. I always thought someone would assassinate him and I told myself I would be relieved if that happened. To feel that way about someone is nothing other than murder and hate, Jesus said so himself.

I realized this truth when I was reading I Samuel 23 - 24. David had been anointed as the next King but the current King, Saul, was angry about it. He chased David for a long time hoping to capture and kill him. One time King Saul was in a cave pooping (not kidding either - it's in The Bible) and David had a great chance to kill Saul. What a great story on the front page of the paper that would have been: "King Saul Murdered while Pooping in a Cave." Even David's men said that this was the chance The Lord had given him. But he didn't do it. He snuck up on him and cut a little piece of his robe off and even then, David felt convicted for doing that.

David said this in I Samuel 23:6, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, The Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD." Then in verse 8 it says that after they all left the cave that David yelled to get Saul's attention. He then wasn't mean, angry but he bowed down. The Bible says he "stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself." I don't think many people would bow down to someone who was trying to kill them. I so admire David's humility during that situation.

After reading that text it was like The Holy Spirit majorly convicted me of my sin. I definitely wasn't bowing down in my heart and accepting who God had put in authority as my President. I asked for forgiveness and am glad God does indeed forgive.

I am sharing this post because I just want to remind my friends that God does indeed place people in authority. I understand what is like to not agree with a leader but just know that The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord and he can turn it, like a river, whatever way He chooses. (Proverbs 21:1). Posting mean hashtags and lashing out on Facebook is sin and it won't change who our President is. God put Obama in office for eight years and now it is Trump. How we react to our President really just shows what is in our hearts. Are we humble and accepting of who God put in or do we fight it? If we fight it, what we really are saying, is that we defy God and His choice for who leads our government.

I think the best and most important thing we can do for our leaders is to pray. Did you know that VP Mike Pence had his hand open to 2 Chronicles 7:14 when he was sworn it? It says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Notice that verse tells us to do ONE thing: pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! When we pray God can start healing our land and hearts, and it first starts with the person who is praying. So instead of being overwhelmed by all the political drama I hope to start praying more and letting God do a work in my heart so I can be changed and used for His purposes.

Lastly, I want to encourage my Christian friends and remind them about something: how you react to political things can influence others for eternity. I sometimes wonder if Satan isn't just sitting back and smiling because he doesn't have to do a lot of work right now. We are so busy fighting a political battle that we are forgetting the real battle - and that one is a spiritual one with eternal results, the difference of heaven and hell. In my Bible I have this written, "These two things will last forever: The Word of God and the souls of men." So many of us are not acting like the souls of men matter. Do you realize that you might win a political rant but lost the opportunity to share about Christ with your friend? Have we forgotten that we will stand before The Lord and give an account for every word and deed we have said and done?

Let's take those political talks and turn the focus on Christ. Yes, I do think talking about politics is fine but what a great chance to say, "You know, I'm so thankful we live in a country where we can vote and pick our President. But you know what I'm really thankful for? Is that one day Jesus will rule and reign on this earth and He will be a righteous King." Ask them if they are ready?! If they rant and rave about a politician they don't like,  gently remind them that God ordains authority and that one day He will make all things right. Remind them that Christ loves that politician and that He died for them too. Whatever conversation you find yourself in, pray during it and ask God to open a door for you to point that person to Christ. He will answer!

I do realize applying all of this is hard because it is hard for me too but I just felt this burden to share this on here with you. Let's pray for each other. Let's lift Jesus high. Eternity will be here soon and let's fight the good fight for Jesus and tell as many people as we can about Him! He is worth it!