The balloon filled and filled and filled. The latex stretched tighter and tighter. Shiny and very tranluscent, the balloon had to burst at any second. No more air could possibly squeeze into the tight oblong ball it had become.
And then finally…POP. Cue confetti, tears, relief, anxiousness, all the oxymorons that come with a presidential election.
The election of 2024 is over. No more political ads, phone calls, text messages (no more random numbers calling at weird times during the day). The American people have cast their votes. We have elected an official candidate. And now we move forward.
Chaos ensued from both political sides and tensions ran high. But in the middle of the stormy waves, we can still find transcending peace in one ultimate candidate.
Gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and kindness are fruits of this candidate’s character.
His perfection is not used as a weapon to shame anyone but as a sacrifice to save us. Joy flows from his very being, and he is the genuine embodiment of pure truth. He looks at our sinful hearts and his verdict is grace. He knows no other language but love, and yet this language is all he needs to bridge every treacherous gap.
His name, if you haven’t guessed, is Jesus.
If we look straight ahead at the turbulent news in anguish or even stick our heads in the dirt in complete denial of the evil in this world, we will miss the beautiful, glorious treasure that is given to us for right now.
The race was and is not a political race. The race set out before us is one of pursuing more Jesus, fixing our eyes upon Jesus, turning our attention toward Jesus.
The good news about Jesus? He never leaves his position as King. The world’s events never scare or overwhelme him. He is continually working every single thing for our good and his glory.
He is our great high priest who sympathizes with everytihng we are experiencing, whether feeling triumph or failure. And He is here with us now, continuing the work he began before the beginning of time.
Isaiah 9:6 is an important reminder for us as we enter the holidays that God blessed the world with a very special child over 2,000 years ago.
The One who holds all things in His hands and is in control of all things sent this baby …”and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder…” Isaiah 9:6
Wonderful, mighty, everylasting, prince. Take those words and let them wash over you.
Jesus’ reign is continuing on, ruling in perfect goodness. There is nothing that can happen in this world (no natural, political, or otherwise disaster) that could ever separate us from the love and sacrifice of God.
So in this time post-election, let us put our faith, trust, and hope in the One who never fails, always perseveres, and is bigger than any problem this country or our world will ever face.
He is the perfect candidate, able to accomplish immeasurably more than anything we could ever think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). And let’s continue to say His powerful name as we walk in love towards others.
Pray With Me
Dearest Jesus,
Our precious lamb of God, our saving grace when our lives are roller coasters. Thank you for being the same God yesterday, today, and forevermore. When we fail to see you clearly, I pray that you would turn our chins toward your glorious face. I pray that the things of today would grow dim in the light of your eternal promises.
Father God, I pray that our focus would not be on a human candidate winning or losing but on what you can do through that candidate and how your glory will be revealed. I pray that everyone would come to know the name of Jesus through the current circumstances of our country. I believe wholeheartedly that you are in control. And because I believe this, I trust in you and not in any earthly thing.
My dearest savior, thank you for saving us from the worst fate possible: separation from you. Thank you for saving us from sin and death. I know you are still sitting on your throne and will continue to sit on your thone until you dwell with us again.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
As I woke up this morning with the election results on display, an old faithful song with new harmonies from one of my favorite artists appeared in my Apple Music. I couldn’t help but think how perfect, Jesus.
This song illustrates the fullness of Jesus who is our light, our knight in shining armor from all darkness and dread. Let us look to His wonderful face as our perfect candidate.
O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace
His word shall not fail you he promised
Believe him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
Your Turn
As we step into this new season, let’s choose to embrace the peace that only Jesus, our perfect candidate, can bring. Let’s fix our eyes on Him, trusting His unchanging goodness.
Take a moment today to turn off the news, close social media, and spend time in prayer or worship, seeking His heart above all else. When you seek Him, He will be found.
And as we go forward, let’s live out His love by caring for one another, showing grace, and speaking hope into the lives of those around us. Together, let’s be a reflection of His light in a world that truly needs it.
Comments
Well said! Thank you for pointing us back to what is important! Crisis averted as we look into his full and wonderful face.