Church Can Still Be Cool


So Now What?
November 5, 2008, 3:14 pm
Filed under: my faith journey | Tags: , , , , , ,

Last night our country changed direction. As I sat and watched the returns roll in my emotion changed from hope, to shock, to disappointment… heck, there was even a little fear mixed in. As the night wore on, a strange thing took the place of all of that… I became resolved.

This may come as a surprise, but there are actually a few things that I am thankful for after last night. First, I am thankful that while last night we elected a new president, we still serve the same King. The country changed direction and perhaps ideologies, but Christ didn’t, for He is the Lord, and He does not change. It is easy to get wrapped up in a situation that seems hopeless, but our God is a God of hope, and God who promises that ALL things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. God was not surprised by the election results last night. His plan is still to give me hope and a future, I now have the task of walking in obedience to Him.

Second, I am thankful for a renewed passion to pray for our country and the man who will be leading it. We can no longer be Red Elephants or Blue Donkeys, we, the body of Christ, must now make our second most important affiliation simply Americans, united under one cause, which is to see America again become, “one nation, under God, indivisible…” My hope is that those who voted for Senator McCain will now pray for Barack Obama to become intimately intune with voice of God even harder than they prayed that he wouldn’t win the election. More than most, this man need the wisdom of Solomon, and the guidance of a just and merciful God. I am thankful that God is up to that challenge. But we have to step up, church. There is no place anymore for partisanship, at least not until 2012. We are all in this together, and as for me, I choose to stand on the promise that “if My people who are called by name will 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.” The charge isn’t to pray that another be convicted of his sin, though we certainly can, the charge is to admit where WE have fallen short of God’s glorious standard, and then pray. Pray for our country, pray for President-Elect Obama, and pray that God heal our land. The truth is that God desires that even this man would come to an intimate, passionate, life-changing closeness with Him. It’s our job to stand in the gap for him until he does.

Finally, I am thankful for the privilege of being called a son of God, for I know that any Father worth his salt looks out for his kids, even in the most trying of times. I am thankful that there is a God more trustworthy than the nation in which I live, and I am thankful for the grace and mercy He has showered on me. The next four years are going to be interesting to say the least, but I KNOW THAT GOD IS IN THIS WITH US!! And, in the end, that brings me back to hope. After all, if He is for us, whom then shall we fear?


11 Comments so far
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So very eloquently said, Aaron! I know why God raised you up as “His man” in His Kingdom of 2008! Thank you for that.

I actually came to very much the same place. I felt a little like King David when he fasted and prayed in total anguish, asking for God to save his child; but once God had spoken, and the result was final, he got up, washed his face, ate, and tried his best to process it in a way that would make him a better saint.

You’re right. Our new president will need our prayers, and I pray we can all be as classy and gracious as John McCain when he turned from opponent to a supporter of his new president, and called for us to do the same!

You are awesome, Aaron! Who taught you to be so awesome 🙂 Tee hee

Mom

Comment by SandyP

Good word! Ideas matter. Keep sharing them!

Comment by Jason

Very similar to what I said last night to Lace and what I had planned to say tonight at my men’s group. No wonder we’ve been friends for so long. Love you brother, see you at Thanksgiving hopefully!

Comment by Chris

Thanks for sharing your link. Although I am not a blogger, I do enjoy reading them and this one was worth the read.

Comment by Sherry

“There is no place anymore for partisanship, at least not until 2012.”

How bout ever?

Comment by Joel Runyon

True and wise words. We can and must as christians support our new President without compromising our beliefs. As a nation we elected him so as a nation we must make the most of the next four years. Prayer is powerful…let’s use!

Comment by Kathy B

Amen!!!

Comment by Brittany Brandner

Aaron,

Your precious mother-law sent this to me and I am so grateful for her and her entire family. The Lord has been speaking to me in much the same way He has speaking to you. The first thing they asked me when I walked in to work was how I felt about the outcome. My response was, “in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18. The Lord just gave it to me. I am SO THANKFUL for my Bible Drill days and I am sure Breanna is as well. Keep teaching those young ones the WORD OF GOD!!! We never know when we may not have our Bibles!!! It has to be hidden in our hearts. Tell Breanna hello for me and GOD BLESS AMERICA and GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Comment by Cheryl Belden

Hey man!! Where did all this wisdom come from? All kidding aside–you said it all! I know we have been extremely blessed to have had a christian man in the White House for the past 8 years and all have become very lazy in our prayer life for/about our country and our leaders–this MUST all change! While we never really know about ones true beliefs we always get a glimpse at them (beliefs) and I truely believe we must hit our knees (or whatever you do to pray) and lift up our leaders as never before.

Aaron, keep up the great job with the youth–you are truely amazing and it shows through them.

Jon

Comment by Jon Shepherd

Looks like your thoughts resonated! That’s why I love the blogosphere, it gives you an opportunity to think out loud.

Joel – no return to partisanship would be great. Unfortunately the parties have different ideas about how to get to the promised land. I don’t think we can ever get to an “un-partisan” place in our country. We can, however, work toward the triumph of some ideas over others, rather than just the triumph of parties over another.

Comment by Jason

Easily the most intelligent and correct thing I have heard since the election.

Comment by Tyler Clements




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