So, History was made last Wednesday night as the Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. I was hoping, on that next morning, that all just seemed a little bit "righter" with the world, that maybe some miracle had happened and there would be something different happening on Tuesday.....I know, I know, that's not how it works. And then I remembered there really were Cleveland Indian fans that were disappointed with the results.
Tuesday comes another day in History, and I have wrestled with this election like no other. I do not like either candidate, period. I am thinking we screwed up big time for allowing these two to be on the ballot, but the deal is, it is who was voted in on the Primary (and I can say in all honesty, I DIDN'T vote for either one of them in the Primary) so there it is. And I am scared, scared of what either person would say or do that would land us all in hot water. I keep hearing my own recently retired boss saying "You can't say that" and learning from the wisdom of why I couldn't. I even took to a time of deciding I wouldn't vote because I couldn't think about the fact I had placed the tick mark for someone that could quite possibly send us into a war, I know I am not the only one that is that scared.
All of this being said, I am going to share with you what changed my mind. It has been a crazy week for me and so yes, I am "bailing" a little, because I figure most of the ones reading this saw it on my facebook page earlier last month. But I have reread it MANY times, and I did indeed mark the 9th of November on my Calendar on my phone and typed, "Our God Rules the World", it is set to remind me that at 4:00 am, as I am waking up because I am sure I will go to bed before they truly announce the winner.
This is from Max Lucado, who I have a great deal of respect for, and I thank him, (yes, I am so sure he will read this, lol) but he did put the focus back where it belongs. I read a blurb this week that says Christians should stop saying, "everything happens for a reason", I didn't read the article and probably should have, but bottom line IS everything happens for a reason. Sorry, it is true, whether we want to hear it or not. And we have to trust that God is God and we are not.
So, here is what Max has to say:
Tuesday comes another day in History, and I have wrestled with this election like no other. I do not like either candidate, period. I am thinking we screwed up big time for allowing these two to be on the ballot, but the deal is, it is who was voted in on the Primary (and I can say in all honesty, I DIDN'T vote for either one of them in the Primary) so there it is. And I am scared, scared of what either person would say or do that would land us all in hot water. I keep hearing my own recently retired boss saying "You can't say that" and learning from the wisdom of why I couldn't. I even took to a time of deciding I wouldn't vote because I couldn't think about the fact I had placed the tick mark for someone that could quite possibly send us into a war, I know I am not the only one that is that scared.
All of this being said, I am going to share with you what changed my mind. It has been a crazy week for me and so yes, I am "bailing" a little, because I figure most of the ones reading this saw it on my facebook page earlier last month. But I have reread it MANY times, and I did indeed mark the 9th of November on my Calendar on my phone and typed, "Our God Rules the World", it is set to remind me that at 4:00 am, as I am waking up because I am sure I will go to bed before they truly announce the winner.
This is from Max Lucado, who I have a great deal of respect for, and I thank him, (yes, I am so sure he will read this, lol) but he did put the focus back where it belongs. I read a blurb this week that says Christians should stop saying, "everything happens for a reason", I didn't read the article and probably should have, but bottom line IS everything happens for a reason. Sorry, it is true, whether we want to hear it or not. And we have to trust that God is God and we are not.
So, here is what Max has to say:
I have a prediction. I know exactly what November 9 will bring. Another day of God's perfect sovereignty. He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never before has His providence depended on a king, president, or ruler. And it won't on November 9, 2016. "The LORD can control a king's mind as he controls a river; he can direct it as he pleases" (Proverbs 21:1 NCV).
On one occasion the Lord turned the heart of the King of Assyria so that he aided them in the construction of the Temple. On another occasion, he stirred the heart of Cyrus to release the Jews to return to Jerusalem.
Nebuchadnezzar was considered to be the mightiest king of his generation. But God humbled and put him in "detention" for seven years. "The kingdom is the Lord's, and He rules over the nations" (Psalms 22:28).
Understanding God's sovereignty over the nations opens the door to peace. When we realize that God influences the hearts of all rulers, we can then choose to pray for them rather than fret about them. Rather than wring our hands we bend our knees, we select prayer over despair.
Nebuchadnezzar was considered to be the mightiest king of his generation. But God humbled and put him in "detention" for seven years. "The kingdom is the Lord's, and He rules over the nations" (Psalms 22:28).
Understanding God's sovereignty over the nations opens the door to peace. When we realize that God influences the hearts of all rulers, we can then choose to pray for them rather than fret about them. Rather than wring our hands we bend our knees, we select prayer over despair.
Jeremiah did this. He was the prophet to Israel during one of her darkest periods of rebellion. He was called "the weeping prophet" because he was one. He wept at the condition of the people and the depravity of their faith. He was so distraught that one of his books was entitled Lamentations. But then he considered the work of God. Note the intentionality of his words:
"This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:21-23)
Imitate Jeremiah. Lift up your eyes. Dare to believe that good things will happen. Dare to believe that God was speaking to us when he said: "In everything God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28).
Many years ago, I spent a week visiting the interior of Brazil with a long-time missionary pilot. He flew a circuit of remote towns in a small plane that threatened to come undone at the slightest gust of wind. Wilbur and Orville had a sturdier aircraft.
I could not get comfortable. I kept thinking that the plane was going to crash in some Brazilian jungle and I'd be gobbled up by piranhas or swallowed by an anaconda.
I kept shifting around, looking down, and gripping my seat. (As if that would help.) Finally, the pilot had had enough of my squirming. He looked at me and shouted over the airplane noise. "We won't face anything I can't handle. You might as well trust me to fly the plane."
Is God saying the same to you? If so, make this your prayer:
Dear Lord,
You are perfect. You could not be better than you are.
You are self-created. You exist because you choose to exist.
You are self-sustaining. No one helps you. No one gives you strength.
You are self-governing. Who can question your deeds? Who dares advise you?
You are correct. In every way. In every choice. You regret no decision.
You have never failed. Never! You cannot fail! You are God! You will accomplish
your plan.
You are happy. Eternally joyful. Endlessly content.
You are the king, supreme ruler, absolute monarch, overlord, and rajah of all history.
An arch of your eyebrow and a million angels will pivot and salute. Every throne is a footstool to yours. Every crown is papier–mâché to yours. No limitations, hesitations, questions, second thoughts, or backward glances. You consult no clock. You keep no calendar. You report to no one. You are in charge.
And I trust you.
Circle November 9 on your calendar and write upon it the words: Our good God rules the world.
I leave you with Stephen Curtis Chapman's God is God, since it is what I keep reminding myself right now.
"This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:21-23)
Imitate Jeremiah. Lift up your eyes. Dare to believe that good things will happen. Dare to believe that God was speaking to us when he said: "In everything God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28).
Many years ago, I spent a week visiting the interior of Brazil with a long-time missionary pilot. He flew a circuit of remote towns in a small plane that threatened to come undone at the slightest gust of wind. Wilbur and Orville had a sturdier aircraft.
I could not get comfortable. I kept thinking that the plane was going to crash in some Brazilian jungle and I'd be gobbled up by piranhas or swallowed by an anaconda.
I kept shifting around, looking down, and gripping my seat. (As if that would help.) Finally, the pilot had had enough of my squirming. He looked at me and shouted over the airplane noise. "We won't face anything I can't handle. You might as well trust me to fly the plane."
Is God saying the same to you? If so, make this your prayer:
Dear Lord,
You are perfect. You could not be better than you are.
You are self-created. You exist because you choose to exist.
You are self-sustaining. No one helps you. No one gives you strength.
You are self-governing. Who can question your deeds? Who dares advise you?
You are correct. In every way. In every choice. You regret no decision.
You have never failed. Never! You cannot fail! You are God! You will accomplish
your plan.
You are happy. Eternally joyful. Endlessly content.
You are the king, supreme ruler, absolute monarch, overlord, and rajah of all history.
An arch of your eyebrow and a million angels will pivot and salute. Every throne is a footstool to yours. Every crown is papier–mâché to yours. No limitations, hesitations, questions, second thoughts, or backward glances. You consult no clock. You keep no calendar. You report to no one. You are in charge.
And I trust you.
Circle November 9 on your calendar and write upon it the words: Our good God rules the world.
I leave you with Stephen Curtis Chapman's God is God, since it is what I keep reminding myself right now.
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