Marches on Washington, protests against the new administration, violence on the streets of our capital, unrest, uncertainty, fear of the known and unknown dominate our news. Dissatisfaction, unrest and protests have happened in past administrative turnovers but not to the extent that we are seeing today.
Regardless of which side you are on politically, there has to be concern for what is taking place. We can only hope and pray that ordinary citizens like you and me and people in power will turn to God for direction and answers to the problems that face us. Violence is not the way to a solution now or ever.
The Bible gives clear instructions on how we as citizens are to relate to those in power. The Apostle Paul gave instructions to Timothy, his son in the ministry, saying, “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1Timothy 2:1-15) To the Roman Christians he wrote, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities”.
Fortunately, in America, people do have a voice. Is our democracy being tested? Absolutely, and especially if Russia or any other country is interfering with our electoral process or with our governing process.
I believe that as Christians we should stand up for the morals and values that Jesus has taught us. We have a process by which we can voice our opinions and we should. We should contact our representatives at all levels of Government and let our opinions be known. We should exercise our right to vote and tragically many did not in this past election. We should pray for those in authority and we should hold them accountable.
There is a story about the great preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon who went into the country to visit a friend who had built a new barn. On the barn, the farmer had placed a cupola and a weather vane with a text from scripture on it: “God is Love”. Spurgeon was curious and asked his friend, “What do you mean by putting that text of scripture on the weather vane? Do you mean that God’s love is as changeable as the wind?” “Oh, no,” his farmer friend replied, “I mean to say that God is love whichever way the wind blows.”
No matter which way the wind blows in our turbulent world we can be certain of God’s love. It is that love in our hearts that should guide give us security and peace. It is God’s love that should motivate us to stand firm in our faith, to defend Christian values, to speak out against injustice and violence and to treat our fellowman with love and respect in the process.
In His Love, Charles
