“The Lord is at
hand”
Philippians 4:5b
It
has happened every time the Cubs got close to winning it all. You start seeing all sorts of cartoons and
hearing all sorts of jokes about impending doom. “Cubs are winning, Hell is preparing for a
hard winter.” “Cubs are going to the
World Series, hell has frozen over.”
Last week, after they had won, someone joked, “Wouldn’t it have been
appropriate if Jesus had come back during the rain delay. Then we would never have known if the Cubs
won.” That’s the way it has been. The Cubs start winning and everyone assumes
it’s the end of the world.”
Now
all of that is obviously said in jest.
People are joking. Far more
serious, however, has been all the worry and fear surrounding the election
taking place today in the USA. Each side
in this election has claimed that if the other side wins that will spell the
end of America as we know it. What I
hear from many of my countrymen is real fear of what will happen regardless of
who wins. Many are disgusted with all
the candidates Many believe that the
election of either one will be a disaster.
I have even encountered fear and worry from people over here in
Europe. People here are closely watching
this election, very concerned about the outcome. In the last two months, as
soon as someone here figures out that I am an American they start asking about
the election. They want to know what I
think about who will win. They want to
know who I am going to vote for. I understand that in Mexico they have prepared
themselves for severe economic troubles based on who wins the US election.
People are talking and acting at times as if the result of the US election
could be the end of the world.
Well,
as this 2016 Election Day begins in the USA, I have some great news for
everyone. The only thing that is the end of the world IS the end of the world. This obvious truth has been a big help to me,
because I am a big worrier, prone to over-react. AS a new young father in debt there were many
times when I worried myself sick about bills.
I have stressed myself out because I was so completely afraid to do
something for fear of how someone else might react. When my dad died, I wasn’t sure how I could
make it without him. I am not the only
one who goes through such moments. I
remember one man whose wife was diagnosed with cancer, another whose wife
wanted a divorce, a woman whose kid were in trouble with drugs… the list goes
on and on. For each one it seemed at the moment as if the world was coming to an
end. And don’t get me wrong. Each situation was serious. However none of them was the end of the
world. What happens in this presidential
election in America is not the end of the world. The only thing that is the end of the world
is the end of the world.
Our
fears and worries over this election or over anything are very revealing. Our fears and worries reveal that you and I
are at time putting our faith in the wrong things and the wrong people. When we worry about money… when we are
fearful of making plans based on a presidential election… when we feel as life
will end because we lost our job, or because our spouse wants a divorce – then
we are looking to saviors who cannot save us.
Friends,
we already have a savior. His name is
Jesus! Where others will most assuredly
fail us, Jesus will not. That’s why Paul writes what he writes here in
Philippians 4. “Rejoice in the Lord
always; again I will say it rejoice. Let
your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
That’s probably the best way to know
whether your faith is place rightly or wrongly.
Put your faith in those who are sure to fail you – worry and fear will
always follow. Put your faith in Jesus
and peace guards your heart. After all
you have in Him a God and savior who loves you so much He gave Himself up for
you. He conquered death. He can do anything. He keeps His promises. Jesus will not fail you.
So
as you go into vote, pray and put your faith in God. Whoever wins the election – pray for that
person and put your faith in God. After
all in Jesus, even the end of the world is not something to be feared. There is no need to worry. With Jesus the end of the world means He is
coming back! That my friends is reason
for hope. As Jesus once said, “When these things begin to take place,
look up. Lift up your heads. Your
redemption is drawing near.” And remember today – THE ONLY THING THAT IS
THE END OF THE WORLD IS THE END OF
THE WORLD.
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