'For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels or demons, neither present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love
of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'
Romans 8:38&39
The future.
That's really what we're thinking about as we head into this election week here in the U.S. The future.
We are wanting someone to lead us into a future, a future that represents whatever our particular beliefs and hopes and dreams and ideals are. Someone to secure that future for us, to cast a vision, to flesh it out, to lead us to it.
But, there's a problem.
None of our candidates, not presidential, not council person, not county sheriff, none of them have access or proprietary rights for that elusive thing we call the future.
The future is a slippery, difficult-to-define phenomenon.
Because once you're upon it, it's no longer the future. It's the now. And the now has a way of making us long for and idolize or fear our future.
And we actually think that an individual, a person of our choosing or a person we desperately don't want to hold office will somehow harness and rope and craft to their liking the world to come.
We don't get to control our futures, not through ourselves, not through our candidates. We can follow our principles. We can lay brick upon brick in the hope that a structure of posterity will result. We can do our part to lay a foundation. We can add time, resources, effort. And then we discover ourselves in that future, that linear experience that becomes our now. We sometimes find fulfillment of vision. We sometimes have disappointment. We often find that events have taken a course we couldn't have imagined.
But this one thing about the future we can know. You can know it as a certainty when you enter that polling booth on Tuesday. You can know it as a certainty when you watch the exit polls breathlessly extolled on cable news. You can know it as a certainty when the computer-generated maps light up in red and blue on Tuesday night. It is the one thing certain about your future.
And that is this.
Nothing can separate you from the love of God.
Nothing.
Selah.
Thank you for that. I often find myself feeling such anxiety over the upcoming election. When I think of how things may "change" and how it will affect us, I get so scared. But in those times I sit back and pray, and give it to God, and trust that no matter what, we will be okay because God knows our future. Is it alright if I link to this in my blog tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteWell said. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThere is a song:
ReplyDelete"I dont know about tomorrow
It may bring me poverty
But the one who feeds the sparrow
Is the one that stands by me
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand."
be blessed
Praise the Our Sweet Creator!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very positive way of looking at the future. This morning in my 3 year old son's prayer, he said, "Please bless Jesus to love me." I thought, "Oh bud, he ALWAYS loves you. His love will never go away!"
ReplyDeleteBecause He lives, I can face tomorrow,
ReplyDeleteBecause He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
(Lyrics from Bill Gaither)
We used to sing this every Sunday at the end of every service before we went out to face the world. I think it bares repeating.
AMEN!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, your eloquence here "We don't get to control our futures, not through ourselves, not through our candidates. We can follow our principles." so sums up what I believe...but worded far more concisely and directly. You ROCK!
Peace to us all as we vote, and power to us all as we seek to live what we believe.
Thank you for this today, Octamom. :)
I love this post. I've been thinking of the elections and the future in much the same way. I understand why people get all worked up about who they think is going to "fix" our country, but I also realize that GOD has this, He is on the throne, He is in control. That is the truth no matter who sits in the oval office. And God still works all things together for good. Thank you for sharing this, lady. You are a lovely thinker and a great writer.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister! What a beautiful thought and reminder. We (our congregation) got a bit of a loving scolding from our Pastor this week as he told us to STOP freaking out about this election and living in fear. He reminded of the TRUTH that there is only one king and one day- either sooner or later- every knee shall bow to him and him alone. Regardless of who wins this election- they are human- but the fact remains that our hope is found in Christ and Him alone.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this necessary reminder. I am constantly assuring myself to not get anxious or discouraged... and remember that He is in control. And that yes- we will never be separated from His hand, His love.
ReplyDeleteSteph
Thank you. It is so important to remember, especially as we watch moral decline and political turmoil, war and unrest, that God is in charge and that he will watch over and bless those who follow him. We need not fear if we are full of faith! Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more, Octamom. This is one of the reasons I refuse to argue with people over their political views. My personal view is - GOD IS IN CONTROL. Some people are democrats, some republicans and some fall in the 'tween. Thanks so much for this Sunday reminder. You are a very wise woman. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a totally beautiful post. So well said, and so true. I personally pray a lot for the future of this country, for myself and my husband but more for my children who will inherit the decisions of those we put in office now and the actions of people who hate us so much that we cannot control. No matter who wins, I fear we are in for a rough spot. I'll think back to your words though...because you are totally right. What a lucky bunch of kids to have you as their Mom.
ReplyDeleteYes, no matter the outcome we have to stay focused on the important things of our lives, worship God, stay in the race, and have faith in that which we cannot see. Our response is no different after Tuesday than before. Just that we have the wonderful freedom to participate in a process that many in our world do not. We can vote our conviction whichever that is. Great post!
ReplyDeleteAMEN!!
ReplyDeleteAs usual a most perfect Sunday Selah, I think that knowing this is the one thing that has kept me grounded thoughout this whole election process.
Once again I have to say...you are an amazing writer.
God Bless.
This is how I keep my sanity. Knowing Who is ultimately in control. I am still a little bit nervous though.
ReplyDelete"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright." Psalm 20:7,8
ReplyDeleteWe just need to keep our eyes on God as we move through this time. Thank you for your timely words & wisdom. Once again, I am blessed by you, a modern Deborah.
AMEN. And Amen again.
ReplyDeletePeople need this encouragement, to trust the future to God.
ReplyDeleteSure, like you said, we do our best to make responsible decisions that will benefit our country and our children, but having done that, we then need to remember that God rules in the kingdoms of men. (Isaiah 37:16)
Amen! It's not about whose red or blue or this or that! We must stay close to God and allow him to guide us. Not voting by how we think we'll prosper, etc. I pray we elect the right person.
ReplyDelete