I’m writing this on Wednesday morning. The election results have just been announced. It seems wise to reflect on how we as Christians ought to respond in this moment. Three main thoughts come to mind:
First, if the candidate you voted for won, this is a good time to remember what Psalm 146:3 says, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” No matter how enthusiastic our support for a candidate, as followers of Jesus, our deepest and final trust is reserved for God alone. Idolatry is sneaky. We must keep our eyes on Jesus.
Second, if the candidate you supported lost, this is a good time to remember that God is still King over all the nations, including our own, and that our Christian responsibility is to offer “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings...for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). We may find this difficult, but Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44). We must follow the way of Jesus, even when it is hard.
Third, it is important to remember that within the family of God, we have brothers and sisters who voted differently than us. As God’s Gospel people, we are called to “rejoice with those who rejoice,” and “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Whatever our political convictions, we are first and foremost a family in Christ who are knit together for eternity. We must bear one another’s burdens in love. We must remember who we are.
Remember, my friends, that in Christ, we are loved more than we know. Now let’s remember to act like ourselves. Let’s go and be the Church.