Sometimes a guy just has to choose. No, I’m not talking about this past week’s election, though I certainly could. It is time to move on from that. It’s over and it was somewhat decisive, which are the two things I prayed for. If Donald Trump won, I wanted it to be a clear victory. If Kamala Harris won, likewise I wanted it to be a clear victory. We didn’t need four years of “Russian interference,” or four years of “stolen” elections.
A lot of folks I know gave a big thumbs-up to the election results on Wednesday morning, and an almost equal number of folks I know gave it the thumbs-down. Such is the nature of our divided nation these days, but here is what we followers of Jesus need to remember–we’re not working for a temporal kingdom.
Yes, politics is important and we need to pay attention to it and participate in the process (thankful we live in a country where we can), but it is time for the disciples of Jesus Christ to get down to the real business to which we’re called–building an eternal Kingdom.
Just as a reminder, I recall these words from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke’s gospel:
27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Luke 6: 27 – 38 (NLT)
Friends, it is time for us to choose to be different from the world because this old world is passing away. It is time for us to choose to live by different standards than power, utility and equal exchange. It is time for us to choose to follow Jesus in building an eternal Kingdom and to live the primary Kingdom principle of love. It is time for us to choose to tell the world about Jesus Christ.
Let’s choose not to be Democrat or Republican. Let’s choose to be Christians. After all, life is about choices.
Speaking of choices, I’m making the choice to step away from blogging for a while. I may return to it someday, but right now, I simply have too many other responsibilities that are demanding my attention, not the least of which is spending my early Sunday mornings preparing to lead worship at Haughton Methodist Church.
So, thanks to all of you who have read my blog over the past many years. It has brought joy to my heart and been a great encouragement when someone would respond to a blog I had written. I hope they have been an encouragement to those who read them.
All I can say now is “I’ll see ya’ on the flip-side!”
Until next time (whenever that might be), keep looking up…
Not the Perfect Pastor 
Thank you Lynn for always sharing your thoughts and wisdom but always pointing us to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Preach the word!
Thank you, too, Chris for your friendship and your faithfulness to the Gospel!