Regardless
of whether your pick for president won or lost, you are likely in camp with
many Americans who are experiencing a “post-election hangover.” I decided to wait at least 24 hours before ‘penning’
any thoughts. Meanwhile, I’ve been
thinking a lot, reading, and watching news reports and commentaries.
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| President Barack Obama celebrates election victory 2012 |
·
Thankful
that we have been allowed the freedom to vote for a clear choice representing
two very different paths, and I hope that those who have placed their trust in an even
larger government will not be undone by the consequences.
·
Thankful
for candidate Romney who was acknowledged by many mature adults on both sides to
be a decent and honest man who was reluctant to “toot his own horn,” almost to
a fault; in spite of how he was misrepresented during the campaign.
·
Looking
with hope and expectation that President Obama and the legislative branch will
work together to use the “check and balance system” of our representative
government to do its work. If not, then hopefully
our legislators will remember the 2010 election as they face 2014.
·
Thankful
for the “laboratories” of sound fiscal management that exist in states like
Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and New Jersey which should provide clues to the
Obama Administration as they begin to provide leadership to Congress in efforts
to address our fiscal crisis.
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| Greek protest against government austerity |
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Opportunity
for conservatives to reassess how to clarify and convey the message of how
social and fiscal conservatism has been and still is the essential hope for Americans
who which live free politically and spiritually.
·
Hopeful
that when the tension and frustration of the campaign season (or years?)
finally ends, the disagreements can morph into honest dialog from all sides
with respect to issues including the following
o
Revival
of spirit in America that recognizes the moral foundation of objective truth that
must be nurtured if we are to reaffirm what President Obama said in his recent victory
speech when he praised the spirit that
has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country
from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while
each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family and
we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people. [More on this in another blog entry.]
o
Religious
freedom that supports individual moral convictions and polite expression in the
workplace, the media, the academy, and in the marketplace of ideas
o
Policies
for health care and welfare that balance “social justice” with individual
responsibility and accountability
o
Funding
for adequate national defense and other government programs that is balanced
with commitment to eradication of waste and duplication
o
Stewardship
of natural resources that balances the needs of humankind with wise conservation. This stewardship should define “resources” as
not only “finite reserves in the ground” but also “useful and renewable products
of creative technology” yet to be developed in an entrepreneur-friendly economy.
o
Economic
policies that promote small businesses and entrepreneurship with recognition
that simply “taxing the rich” will not support a ballooning federal bureaucracy
an more than simply raiding the henhouse while failing to “feed the hens.”
o
Recognizing
that our educational system is increasingly bankrupt pedagogically and morally
as shown by our declining rank among civilized nations in the world.
Finally,
I am hopeful because of the following post-election e-mail from my son-in-law,
Pastor Steve Salyers, who is part of the next generation in our family:
Hey John, this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in It (Psalm 118: 24).
Hey John, this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in It (Psalm 118: 24).
I was
reminded this morning as I opened the Word that regardless of who’s in the
White House this solemn instruction (warning) stands as the Church's
'street-corner' message to the government leaders of this country:
Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.
Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry,
and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! -- Psalm 2: 10-12
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.
Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry,
and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! -- Psalm 2: 10-12
However,
more than living as prophets to the governmental leaders, the church stands as
peacemaker as we're called to prayer and intercession:
[Instructions on Worship] I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that
we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. -- 1 Timothy 2:1-2
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| NationalMonument to the Forefathers |
Blessings,
Steve
In
closing, the challenge remains for us, as implied in Steve’s reference to I
Tim. 2, to take up our responsibility to pray for our leaders, to hold them
accountable, and to be intentional and polite “witnesses” to a lifestyle that
affirms the value of marriage, family, sanctity of life, love for ethnic
diversity, generosity, etc. Christianity
in the USA and world will become even more secularized and marginalized if we
don't deliberately look for opportunities from the pulpit and the pew to be
intentional about our valuing of these things in word and in action. We should welcome the day of Christ's return in
balance with an awareness of the great compassion Jesus has for the lost, not
being willing that any should perish.
And how will they see and hear
without our profession of the Gospel both
in lifestyle and in words fitly spoken.
Today, I hope you are hopeful!
Today, I hope you are hopeful!
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