Pay Attention

"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." John 16:33 (NIV)

Sometimes it is so much easier to just stick our heads in the sand. This year, the political debates, primaries, and pundits continually test our endurance. It may even tempt us to walk away from our responsibility as citizens. I read an editorial by Rev. Mark Creech and though I don't agree with all that he says, I do agree when he states, "…many conservative evangelicals are now acting as though God were not sovereign in the political process. Have we become more focused on the process than on the God who controls it? Granted, we must diligently seek to influence the culture for righteousness sake. Nevertheless, evangelicals are not sailing the ship politic and never were. There is but one Captain -- the Lord -- and He raises to power whomever He wills." Having served in the political arena in my past life, I learned first hand that money, power, prestige, and pure determination will not guarantee an election outcome. But rather than throw the baby out with the bathwater (a much easier alternative, at times) we have to stand up and be counted; we cannot disengage but must give voice to our convictions and vote. Rev. Creech also discovered two great truths as he worked the halls in the North Carolina General Assembly: "(1) God is sovereign over everything and ultimately His will cannot be defeated; and (2) no person or group involved in politics ever gets all they want all of the time. But for Christ's sake, one must ever be vigilant in victory and defeat. And one must always find positive ways to stay engaged in the process." I am so thankful that I am not in control of this world but that I know the One who is. I can go to sleep at night and wake each morning knowing that nothing surprises our Heavenly Father about this year's elections. Worry is useless. Instead, pray and stay informed.