My Candidate

It's impossible to ignore the presidential race right now.  Between the news, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the randomly overheard elevator conversations,  I feel like I'm constantly subjected to a barrage of information on the two candidates.  Every week there is a new poll, a new social media rant, and new mistake or offense.  In the midst of a lot of information that doesn't actually seem relevant to the job of being president of the United States, I hear the moans and groans of so many Americans who love one, hate the other, or feel like they are being offered a choice between brussels sprouts or beets for dessert (my apologies if you consider either of those actual good dessert choices).  As I listen to the rhetoric, the spin, the commentary on the spin, and more, I can't help but feel a sense of relief.  Yes, I said relief.  I'm relieved because never am I more aware of how very human and helpless we are as I am right now.  While I will definitely vote--I always vote; people took beatings and died so I could vote--I am still aware that I'm helpless as an individual person to get the perfect person in the oval office.  I'm not able to change the stalemate that seems to be the new status quo in Congress.  I have no actual power when it comes to selecting or influencing future Supreme Court judges.  Rather than depress me, this comforts me.  Why?

"Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." 2 Corinthians 12:9


That's why.  Any time in my life as a believer that I have been helpless, incapable, weak, or lacking, God has shown up big time to confirm that I am not enough, but He is more than enough.  God is 100% aware of the state of things in our nation. He sees the corruption, the divisiveness, the inequity of wealth, the immorality, the arrogance, the fear disguised as hatred, the idolatry, and, most painfully, the failure of too many Christians to represent Him rightly.  He sees it.  He grieves it. He has a plan to resolve it all.

I know this as David knew with a certainty that can not be shaken.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

I know that He will use the bad for good, as he did in Joseph's life.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  Genesis 50:20

I know, as Paul did, that regardless of who is in charge on earth, God is still in charge of it all!

At the right time, he will make him known. God is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 1 Timothy 6:15 


I know that we live in a fallen world and things can never be completely right until Jesus returns. 

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-.... Romans 5:12

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

My true candidate, the one who always has my vote, who always wins, who can solve all problems and is worthy of my complete faith and trust, is Jesus.  It's in Jesus that I have true hope.  Like, I said before, I will choose a candidate to vote for in the booth, but I will do so knowing that person is limited, is human, and is likely to make mistakes along the way.  That's just reality.  The best way I know that we can live in this reality, is to keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ, and share the Gospel more than we share political opinions.  I'm just sayin'!