Another election has come and gone. Some of us are happy and some are not. And some of us have mixed emotions about the event’s mixed results. I’m in that latter group, I don’t know what to think, I don’t know how this is all going to fall apart over time.
What I do know is that whoever is elected will be God’s choice, as much – if not more – than the citizens of this nation. Listen to me.
In his letter to the church in Rome, the apostle Paul wrote: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those who hold positions of authority have been placed there by God. ” – Romans 13:1 (NLT)
When Paul wrote these words, the highest human authority in the civilized world was an emperor named Nero. This would have been the same man who was responsible for the origin of the first “Roman candles”, the Christians doused in flammable liquid and set fire to light the Roman streets.
And yet, Paul called on the Christians of Rome to submit to those who govern them. Now, leaving the arguments about what Paul was asking Roman Christians to do (and there are many of them, although I tend to take what Paul said at face value), ask yourself: “If the Christians of the first century could submit to the authority of Nero, how difficult would it be for me to submit to the authority of the person who was elected to represent me?
We may think we are struggling. We don’t. We lead a relatively comfortable life in one of the freest and most prosperous countries on the planet. We have been blessed by the providence of God, I believe, because of the prayers and supplications of his people for this nation and its leaders. And as long as the people of God continue to pray for this nation and its leaders, I believe that God will continue to bless us no matter who is elected, be it local, state or national.
Pray more; worry less. Trust God more; trust your fears less. And for heaven’s sake, remember that, in the scheme of things, elections are less important in your life than your family, friends and community.
— Doug Chastain is a retired teacher and is currently the Large Vehicle Transportation Specialist for the Siloam Springs School District. (Okay, he drives a bus.) He’s also a turf technician at Camp Siloam. (Yeah, he mows the lawn.) You can contact him at [email protected] The opinions expressed are those of the author.
