April 13, 2016
It’s impossible to ignore: the political season is upon us. Actually that’s not correct. It never stopped. Which wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t so banal and brutal. It’s a puzzlement to me why anybody would willingly run to such a gauntlet of abuse. We no longer elect the brightest or most capable candidate; only the one with toughest hide. No wonder politics is increasingly populated with narcissistic sociopaths. They are the only ones who can take the daily media beat-down.
My daughter-in-law has a great phrase to describe it: “It’s a real goat show.” What’s that mean? Goat shows always have a winner; but unlike a horse show or dog show, there’s nothing attractive about the ultimate winner. So too, with this election: In the end we will have a new president… but my-oh-my. This baby will have a face that only another politician could love.
Part of the problem is that we know too much about our modern candidates. The information age daily serves up more data then we can digest or stomach. Gone are the sanitized images of the past. Like those cosmetic mirrors that magnify every pore, blackhead, pimple and unsightly hair, we see it all, up-close and personal.
There is an upside. It becomes unavoidably apparent that politicians are people. There are no halos or auras; none has enough charisma to escape the unblinking eye of the 24-hour news cycle. Hungering for content and ratings, every minutia of a candidate’s life is fair game. And we eat it up!
Please don’t ask me whom I’m voting for. It’s like asking me what my favorite airline is: I have something against them all. I may have to hold my nose, but I will vote. And so should you.
Nor am I depressed. Why not? Because politicians and politics don’t control the future; God does! As the ancient prophetess joyfully declared, “The LORD brings down… and raises up… he humbles and he exalts.” (1 Samuel 2:6-7)
No matter who wins the election, what laws are passed, what courts rule, or what happens with the economy and global terrorism, there are 10 things I know won’t change:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers. (Psalm 119:105)
2. Jesus will still live in my heart.
3. Jesus will still love me. (John 3:16)
4. Prayer will still work. (John 14:13)
5. The Holy Spirit will still move in and through His people. (Acts 1:8)
6. God will still pour out blessings upon His people. (Malachi 3:10)
7. Jesus will still save the lost. (John 3:16)
8. God will still be in charge. (Psalm 75:1)
9. Things will get worse before they get better. (2 Timothy 3:13)
10. One day, every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord! (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10)
Therefore, we should not “grieve like… men, who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) This world is a highway, not our home; and our citizenship is not here, but in heaven. (Philippians 3:20).
Pastor Ken Ortize
