As I sit and reflect on the events of the last 24 hours, mine are a mix of emotions, similar to so many of you, with the results of the election. Scrolling through social media feeds this morning revealed a storm of lament, relief, anger, hope, fear, solidarity and heartbreak. Depending on where you fall on that spectrum, it’s hard to know where to go from here.
My own heart feels heavy with sorrow at the deep divide among these “United” States.
Our future is unknown, and I confess I feel an anxiety at the desperation of people looking for hope. The need for hope is a powerful one. We human beings do crazy things to find it. And we have believed one presidential candidate or another would bring us the hope we so desperately wanted. But neither one can. Because only God can do that. Only He can fix what’s really broken in our country.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- the words of Jesus, John 16:33 NIV
When my heart is trembling at the unknown, there is only One to whom I can turn to find peace and rest. Jesus. He is Immanuel, which means “God with us”. And He has already overcome the world. He is greater and more just and more loving and more merciful and more trustworthy than any leader we could vote into office. He is the God who is with us. And He has a plan. He has not forgotten us.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 NIV
These words from the book of Isaiah are often quoted around Christmastime—a time when we remember that the God of the Universe, humbled Himself and came to earth as a human baby, born into poverty, so we could ultimately relate to Him in our humanity and brokenness.
He is the Wonderful Counselor, who gives wisdom when we have lost our way.
He is the Mighty God who fights on behalf of the weak and oppressed.
He is the Everlasting Father who wants to gather us into His arms.
And He is the Prince of Peace who came to give eternal hope to our hearts if we will trust Him.
Whatever you are feeling today, He is enough, and He longs to carry your burdens.