What Do I Do?

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In the wake of last week's presidential election those of us who supported Mitt Romney have been struggling.  Struggling to understand how the election seems to have been so completely one-sided when just hours, or even mere moments in the case of some states, before the winner was declared all sources were reporting a race too close to call.  Struggling to make sense of the conflicting information bombarding us concerning the future of the country.  Struggling to know what to do.  Struggling with grief....we are experiencing a form of mourning.

And we are struggling with fear....there are those out there who are using words like "revolution" and "civil war."  They speak of stockpiling gold, silver, food, water, fuel, and ammunition.  Lawsuits and petitions are being filed in some states seeking to separate from the U.S. government.  In my limited experiences these people are not "crazies" or people on the fringe of society.  They are housewives, nurses, prison counselors, mothers, Christians, office workers, veterans, and even state police troopers.

How do we know what to do?

My answer came during Bible study with the women's group I belong to.  We are working our way through Beth Moore's Esther, an excellent study I highly recommend.  Beth says "In a mean world, New Testament believers are called to a good fight."  1 Timothy 1:18-19 tells us "I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience.  Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith."

So, does that mean we are to take up the fight or remain passive?  I believe it means that God has given us all the direction we need for living in the Word and as long as we are following what He has set out there for us in faith we can have a good conscience about what we do.

1 Peter 2:13-17 says "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men; whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to the governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.  Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  Show proper respect to everyone; Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king."

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That I believe says it all.  It doesn't matter who is president.  The path of the Christ-follower remains the same.  God has laid a course out for us and we are to set our eyes on Him and never stray.  He is in control and the work of His kingdom is what the Christian needs to be about.  We need to set the example for the rest of the world and live blamelessly....reflecting Christ in the world because the world doesn't care about our relationship with Christ, they care how much we act like Him.

Continuing to count the everyday blessings:

562.  Clear answers from a God who has been in my shoes and knows what I struggle with.

563.  A group of women who are loving, supportive, and eager to know Christ more.

564.  Summer-like temperatures in November.

565.  A three-day weekend to rest and find peace.

566.  The everyday-ness of chores....the peacefulness of folding laundry, washing dishes.

567.  Every seat filled at church.

568.  A new vehicle. 4-wheel-drive to benefit me and bought from our son to benefit him.

569.  A too busy husband means work continues to be good, when many are without.

570.  The return to normal life following the election.

571.  The rustle of leaves blown across the yard and the crunch underfoot.

572.  The smell of woodsmoke in the air.

573.  Getting back to blogging.