God bless America
As I pondered and prayed about what to write for this blog post, the fact that this blog would be posted the day before Election Day loomed in my thoughts. The election that has been called “the most important election of our lifetime.” Personally, through the past months which seem like years of this campaign I have been struck by the complete lack of respect and common courtesy on all sides. I am deeply saddened by the lack of civility and substance. I have often wondered how teachers and parents explained this campaign to children. My dad taught me the importance of voting, serving on a jury and paying my taxes – the responsibilities of a citizen. He often commented “democracy isn’t perfect but it is the best system we have.” I remember proudly discussing presidential campaigns with my own children, taking my children into the voting booth so they could witness as I fulfilled one of my responsibilities as an American citizen, teaching them that even if you aren’t a “fan” of the president you respect the office of the presidency and when speaking about the president you say “President ______ or Mr._________ not just his name.”
Tomorrow it will be decided. Some people will think the outcome is for “the better.” Others will think the outcome is for “the worse.” Others will just be glad it is over. Whatever happens I know God is God and I am blessed to live in United States of America. My country isn’t perfect but my God is. I will exercise my freedom of religion to pray for my elected officials and their families.
My prayer is that “We the people…” can agree to disagree, that we can treat each other with common courtesy and respect and we will remember that our freedoms have been protected and preserved by men and women who gave their lives for us. My additional prayer for those who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is that we “love our neighbors as ourselves.”
14-19 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
20-21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
Ephesians 3:14-21 The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peter
Don’t forget to vote!
Great reminder, Ann. Thank you for this thoughtful post. Would you mind adding the book and chapter to your Bible reference? I’m pretty sure it’s Ephesians 3.
Oops, You are correct it is Ephesians 3.
Great post Ann!
Great reminder, Ann! I like what you said: “God is still God”.
You summed up my feelings completely. It’s Allieys 1st time voting and I feel bad instead of happy for her. GLAD God has it all figured out.