Election 2016

I confess. I have been obsessed with the 2016 American election.  I have watched almost every debate from the primaries forward.  I have watched the SNL skits, debate discussions by talk show hosts, and read every online news article on it that I came across.  I just WISH I was as obsessed with religious commentary.

The obsession isn’t because I’m fascinated by the ins-and-outs of our foreign policy and it’s not just because watching two of our potential world leaders squabble like middle-schoolers is fun.  It’s because I truly believe that this could be one of the most impactful elections.  This could really be the division between America as it was then and America forever more – darker, divided, and absolutely arrogant.  America, the World Bully.  I am obsessed because I am STRESSED.

Another confession: my husband and I have had actual discussions about moving, based on the outcome.  I don’t want to live in that other America.  I am saddened by some of the things that I have seen that half the country seems to support.  It makes me not just stressed, but feeling like I don’t understand the country I come from.

Tomorrow I’m signed up to work the polls.  It’s a 14 hour shift.  I will witness democracy in action.  I am terrified.

But here’s the truth: God already knows the outcome.  He already has control.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1 ESV)

So you and I and everyone else can chill.  God has it.  Whoever is elected into office can be used by God.  As seen throughout the Old Testament, sometimes leaders are cruel, evil, and against God.  And yet God still uses them for His greater will.

So tomorrow, let’s all just chill.