HOPE - 11/9/16

DEAR FAITHFUL CREW LIVING LIFE,

The day after Election Day, 2016. Today the sun came up. Of this I am sure. Where does God call us next?

I was going to begin this week’s letter with, “I don’t know what to say…”

But that’s not right at all. As followers of Christ in very uncertain times, we know exactly what to say. Peter calls out to us, especially now, in Scripture with these words: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). We all certainly are entitled to grieve, for there are many reasons to do so. We all are entitled to celebrate, for your own conscience may give you reason to do that as well. But in the midst of it all, are we prepared to give a reason for the hope that we have?

The hope is that as we are scattered and divided and our power seems to be more limited, that our strength is in Christ who has conquered even death, who celebrates even now because he knows the final picture of how things will be in the end, with God on the throne as God is even now. The Tower of Babel was a high and lofty platform (and a political one at that) attempting to take the place of what God intended to be and to do. And it reminds us that our hope that we defend as followers of Christ is not in a platform, but in a God who guides us (Genesis 11:1-9).

Remember the Centurion (Matthew 27:53-54) who was transformed by the power of love He saw in the eyes of Christ on their own “day after”? Our hope is in the power of God to transform anyone and turn them back to a realization that Christ really is Lord. Could it happen for our President Elect? This is our hope. But could it be that transformation in a similar way needs to happen to each one of us in order for this world to truly change for the better? Or are we better than our new President in this?

Humble us Lord, allow us to turn back to you. Change our hearts. Let us pray daily for our leaders, and for your love to come and transform us all!

Peace alone in Christ,

Brett Shoe