Word for Wednesday…Waiting
“For God alone my soul in silence waits; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2).For the past twelve hours or so, we Americans have been doing a lot of waiting. Presumably we are waiting to hear the results of this greatly contested presidential election, but is that the only thing we are waiting for? Like many presidential elections before, politicians, pundits, reporters and journalists have portrayed this election as one with cosmic and eternal implications, referring to it as “a battle for the soul of the nation” and a moratorium on the direction in which this country is heading. I would certainly agree that this election matters, as does every election, and regardless of who wins, there will be consequences (though whether they are perceived as positive or negative will depend on each person’s political persuasion). Nonetheless, has the importance of this election been overstated?As Christians, we should view every presidential election through the lens of our participation in something that is so much greater, namely God’s eternal kingdom. This is the only way we can approach this election with the proper perspective. This is the only way we can avoid an overwhelming sense of despair if our candidate loses. This is the only way we can love our neighbors, friends and family members who did not vote the same way we did. This is the only way we can wait to hear the results of this presidential election, without feeling as if our salvation depended upon it. As the Psalmist so powerfully reminds us, from God alone will come our salvation. It is in God alone that we have placed our hope, for he is our rock and our refuge.