Nov. 10, 2024, column from the Amarillo Globe-News
Politics aside, remember the higher authority
By Mike Haynes
In
the middle of election season, I can get pretty agitated. That’s just on the inside;
I avoid talking about politics except with some of my family and a friend in
Florida, so most people wouldn’t know how worried I get when I hear some of the
comments and plans from the party that scares me.
I purposely wrote this column before the election so I wouldn’t know which side is crying about the
presidential contest. Whichever way it went, about half the country is terrified that now, the end of democracy is near. (I suppose the vote count still could be up in the air five days after Election Day.)
With
the United States divided down the middle, some on the right and some on the
left are considering what country they should move to (legally, I hope) to
avoid the perceived tribulation to come. (For Kathy and me, it’s Scotland.) For
most (including us), speculating on such a drastic step is just letting off
steam, but the worry behind it is real.
That’s
when I need to listen to Mark, that friend in Florida.
Mark
is as passionate for his viewpoint as anybody. He donates to candidates and
places signs in yards (some of which get stolen). He has strong political and
moral opinions.
But
when we talk on the phone about politics, he invariably returns to a stronger
belief: “God is in control.”
Having
grown up in Kansas, Mark has deep-seated Midwestern values. The son of
missionaries, he is a Christian and a doer, not only a pew-sitter, working with
people who are deaf and inviting people in bad circumstances to stay at his
house.
And
I don’t think he’s planning to flee the country, no matter who won the
election.
Mark
refers to the apostle Paul, who wrote to Christians who lived in the capital of
the most powerful empire of the first century:
“Let
everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has established. (Romans 13:1, NIV)
That
instruction probably was issued in the 50s A.D. during a time when many of
Jesus’ first followers had been killed for their beliefs and Christians still were
being persecuted by the Roman government. But Paul, who himself would be
executed by Rome, understood the big picture.
He
was familiar with the Hebrew Bible, which said, “‘For I know the plans I
have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11) Paul knew
that when the Israelites were hesitant to cross the Jordan into the Promised
Land, God had told Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your
God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
For
about half our population, the state of our nation might look scary right now.
I hope some words from Jesus will provide comfort. Explaining to his disciples
that bad times were coming, he said, “I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)
Two
Sundays before the election, our Sunday school teacher told us, “Sometimes bad
people are at the top. Sometimes good people at the top. But either way, God is
in control.”
Last
Sunday, one of our music leaders said, “Our job is to show the light of Jesus”
through the anxiety and confusion after the election. “God is in charge of the
timeline,” she said.
I
don’t think the Old or New Testament writers or Jesus himself meant we should
ignore what’s going on in the world or our country and sit by waiting for God’s
kingdom to arrive fully. But as we participate in our communities and the
nation, we should work from a godly perspective, trusting in these words that
Paul wrote to the church at Philippi:
“Do
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace
of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Just
before that statement, Paul wrote, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
(Philippians 4:5)
I
didn’t hear much gentleness from either side in the campaign season, and based
on the past few years, I don’t expect much in the days to come. I wish those on
both sides would pay attention to this advice from author and pastor Chuck
Swindoll:
“Life
is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react.”
Many
have said that despite sharp differences among various American ethnic,
political, economic and cultural groups, we have more in common than the things
that divide us. Tomorrow, Nov. 11, is one opportunity to stress that harmony as
our military veterans – especially those who have died serving the country –
are thanked and honored.
Coming
so soon after the Nov. 5 election, I hope it will be a start in the desperate
need for the nation to heal.
Kathy
and I sometimes switch the TV channel from the news to “The Andy Griffith
Show.” Spending time in Mayberry can calm an anxious heart and even put things
in perspective. But for permanent peace, it’s better to focus on the words of
Jesus as he prepared his closest followers for the trauma of his death and what
followed.
“Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John
14:27, NIV)
I’m
glad our Florida friend keeps reminding me.