Give thanks to the Lord for he is good his mercy endures forever.
Psalm 107:1
What do we do now? This was asked by many Americans following the outcome of the federal elections on November 2nd. It seemed that the US presidential campaign was never so tumultuous and divisive. It seemed that even an election couldn't end the months of drama when the final polls were tallied. For so many the consequences of the resulting election seemed so potentially huge in terms of where the country might go and where it might be in the next 4 to 8 years. Of course everyone saw the historic importance of the outcome in light of America's history with the election of Barack Obama, but there were still the substantive issues in which the 2 parties were embroiled in a seemingly irreconcilable difference of opinion, war, foreign policy, homeland security, energy dependence/independence, the economy, abortion laws, the definition of marriage, the crisis on Wall Street and the sub prime mortgage disaster resulting from our national irresponsibility, greed and corruption. Opinions never seemed as diametrically opposed as to who was responsible and who had the correct answers to these questions. The rhetoric was at a fever pitch.
While it might just be that the drama of every election is shrouded with the fear of doom and gloom depending on how you see it, the fact is that there is blame enough to go around. In theological terms, this tumult is merely symptomatic of a fallen human nature.
Who naturally desires to take blame? It is always easier to see the mite in our neighbor�s eye than deal with the plank in our own (Matthew 7:3). This sad fact of a fallen human nature goes back to our first parents Adam and Eve. Following their act of disobedience, God called Adam for an accounting in the Garden. Rather than "fessing up", Adam blames the scapegoat, his bride (Genesis 3:12), following which, God asks Eve, "why did you do this?" Eve, blames the serpent (Gen. 3:13). Talk about the classic case of passing the buck. There is always someone else to blame!
It is Advent, we are mere weeks away from the celebration of our Lord's birth. Christ has come and will come again to take away the sin of the world. How is this done? He does perfectly for us what our government only wishes--He bails us out! In contrast to our government who bails big businesses out with OUR money, our Lord pays our debt from His own treasury. Christ assumed that which was impossible for us to repay. He takes upon Himself our debts completely, at no cost to us. He gives us a fresh start. This is the miracle of Christmas.
While I may seem naive, unsophisticated and ignorant where politics and economics are concerned, I know that our Lord loves us and redeems us. Regardless of the economy and the uncertainty of tomorrow, I wake daily with the same renewal of hope, starting each day with the words, "Lord open my lips and my mouth shall sing forth your praise." (Psalm 51:15).
Beloved in Christ, things may seem imperfect with our lives, we may be uncertain about work, the economy, our church's finances and the new US government, but, it is the season of Advent. Our Lord, Immanuel (this literally means- God with us), is with us. We anticipate His Advent with great joy and with absolute certainty and assurance in Him. We are the salt of the world, and as Christians we must be the beacon of hope for the hopeless and the source of inspiration to the downcast. God is inviting us to be hopeful and to manifest our faith in these chaotic times�to be the light of the world. Be of good cheer. "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of God has risen upon you." (Isaiah 60:1)
Prayerfully
Der Shnork
