A Federal Election was held last Saturday throughout Australia, and all of voting age in our family drove down the road to a civic centre to fulfil the responsibility of all adult citizens. We went around 9am and the queue wasn't long at all - probably because it was a little early for the sausage sizzle as the stall was still undergoing preparations. Unlike elections in the United States, voting only concerns parties or people - not policies or propositions. It took plenty of paper (Australians know what I mean) but not much time to cast our vote and be on our way.
The results of the election were a surprise with the more conservative Liberal party winning big over Labor, the other major party in Australia. I found the results of the election impacted people in a variety of ways: some paid it no mind, others were ecstatic whilst others were despondent. The very thing which caused one person to experience happiness was precisely what brought sadness to another. I observed this split not between Christian and unbeliever, but amongst Christians who love and faithfully serve the LORD.
As one who could be considered politically conservative who spent nearly 20 years of my voting life in California, I am accustomed to regular defeats. I have been happy to see legislation passed which was later overturned in court because a judge deemed it "unconstitutional." I have voted for people in primaries who did not receive the nomination of the party, and I have voted for candidates for governor and president who have lost. I voted for people who I was pleased to see elected, yet their platform positions changed during their term. I have tasted the bitterness of defeat far more than the sweetness of victory: my sports teams are the Padres and Chargers! C'mon, give a guy a break!
There is much to be learned in losing. My involvement in sport and politics has shown me that winning isn't everything, and losing isn't the end of the world. To load politicians with our aspirations and dreams of a better future is futile and without merit. When I have looked to an arm of flesh for my happiness, security, prosperity, and even justice it was hope misplaced. It is in God who raises up kings and deposes them where my affections, expectations of good and future remains secure. To look to government for salvation and hope of a better future through schemes and agendas is to look under rocks or darkened caves for what can only be discovered in Jesus Christ who is light and life for all who believe. A governor or government may serve consecutive terms without a single move in a righteous direction, but God governs all in righteousness.
It is good for God-fearing people to be in politics, but regardless of who is in office our calling is sure. Micah 6:8 says, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" God does not hold us responsible to change the world or others, but to walk humbly and obediently before Him. It does not matter if the government cracks down on "free speech," if churches are required to pay extra tax, if marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use, if immigration policies are tightened or the borders opened wide: God has shown me how I ought to walk with Him. Obedience to God may lead to stern consequences like in the case of Daniel: he prayed to God even when it was deemed illegal to pray to anyone but the king for a month. God protected Daniel in the lion's den, and He will protect us too - even if He protects us as He did Stephen who was stoned for his faith in Jesus. The stones were permitted to crush his body to death but not before he was filled with the Holy Spirit, had a revelation of Jesus Christ, expressed forgiveness towards his enemies, and his eternal soul was caught up into the presence of God to live with Him forever.
How great is our God, that in supposed defeat we can be strong and victorious! Isn't this true concerning Jesus? Onlookers during His crucifixion mocked Jesus, believing He needed God to save Him. The reality was in His death God was working to save from eternal death the very people who murdered, mocked, and forsook Him. In light of Jesus Christ it does not ultimately matter if the results of the election felt like a miraculous victory or a stunning defeat: since we are complete in Christ and He is our all in all the joy of the LORD is our strength. It is good for us to care about the direction of a nation, and when one person in the nation turn towards God in faith in obedience, peace will mark that person as it is written in Psalm 37:37, "Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace."
The results of the election were a surprise with the more conservative Liberal party winning big over Labor, the other major party in Australia. I found the results of the election impacted people in a variety of ways: some paid it no mind, others were ecstatic whilst others were despondent. The very thing which caused one person to experience happiness was precisely what brought sadness to another. I observed this split not between Christian and unbeliever, but amongst Christians who love and faithfully serve the LORD.
As one who could be considered politically conservative who spent nearly 20 years of my voting life in California, I am accustomed to regular defeats. I have been happy to see legislation passed which was later overturned in court because a judge deemed it "unconstitutional." I have voted for people in primaries who did not receive the nomination of the party, and I have voted for candidates for governor and president who have lost. I voted for people who I was pleased to see elected, yet their platform positions changed during their term. I have tasted the bitterness of defeat far more than the sweetness of victory: my sports teams are the Padres and Chargers! C'mon, give a guy a break!
There is much to be learned in losing. My involvement in sport and politics has shown me that winning isn't everything, and losing isn't the end of the world. To load politicians with our aspirations and dreams of a better future is futile and without merit. When I have looked to an arm of flesh for my happiness, security, prosperity, and even justice it was hope misplaced. It is in God who raises up kings and deposes them where my affections, expectations of good and future remains secure. To look to government for salvation and hope of a better future through schemes and agendas is to look under rocks or darkened caves for what can only be discovered in Jesus Christ who is light and life for all who believe. A governor or government may serve consecutive terms without a single move in a righteous direction, but God governs all in righteousness.
It is good for God-fearing people to be in politics, but regardless of who is in office our calling is sure. Micah 6:8 says, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" God does not hold us responsible to change the world or others, but to walk humbly and obediently before Him. It does not matter if the government cracks down on "free speech," if churches are required to pay extra tax, if marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use, if immigration policies are tightened or the borders opened wide: God has shown me how I ought to walk with Him. Obedience to God may lead to stern consequences like in the case of Daniel: he prayed to God even when it was deemed illegal to pray to anyone but the king for a month. God protected Daniel in the lion's den, and He will protect us too - even if He protects us as He did Stephen who was stoned for his faith in Jesus. The stones were permitted to crush his body to death but not before he was filled with the Holy Spirit, had a revelation of Jesus Christ, expressed forgiveness towards his enemies, and his eternal soul was caught up into the presence of God to live with Him forever.
How great is our God, that in supposed defeat we can be strong and victorious! Isn't this true concerning Jesus? Onlookers during His crucifixion mocked Jesus, believing He needed God to save Him. The reality was in His death God was working to save from eternal death the very people who murdered, mocked, and forsook Him. In light of Jesus Christ it does not ultimately matter if the results of the election felt like a miraculous victory or a stunning defeat: since we are complete in Christ and He is our all in all the joy of the LORD is our strength. It is good for us to care about the direction of a nation, and when one person in the nation turn towards God in faith in obedience, peace will mark that person as it is written in Psalm 37:37, "Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace."
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