What's in a Name?

Ecstasy (n)- 2. Excessive joy; rapture; a degree of delight that arrests the whole mind; joy may rise to ecstasy. (Websters 1828 Dictionary)
Doldrums (n)- A sate of inactivity or stagnation.(Dictionary.com)

Monday, November 3, 2008

God is in Control

Does this happen to anyone else? The word "election" is spoken in the midst of a conversation and you start to feel sick to your stomach. People talk of our country's morals and economical issues and you feel like crawling in bed and sleeping like Rip Van Winkle. WELL, that is just what I am feeling right now. I'm so confused about this upcoming election. There is a lot at stake and I just don't know who to vote for. It frustrates me that some people just vote to go along with a fad or simply rely on others' to make up their minds for them. I remember the brainwashing of my peers while I was attending a state university. They seemed to be bullied into voting for whomever the populous was voting for or they would be snubbed or mocked. I can imagine that it is the same way today. But, I have to ask myself, how many times have I rode on the tails of someone else's political ideals? I'm convicted about that and determined to search things out for myself and come to conclusions in light of biblical truth.

I had a hard time filling in my absentee ballot last night. I was going back and forth between two candidates and I ended up in tears. It was all up to me! I had to decide who to vote for and I would be to blame if it was the wrong one! How foolish. As if God wasn't the one in control of it all. Because really, that's what it all comes down to. Be it Obama, McCain, Nader, Baldwin or Keyes, God dictates the outcome.

I'm reminded of a passage in Job that slaps me in the face whenever I forget that God is the orchestrator of our world, despite the devastating goings-on:

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements?
Surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
To what were its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together,
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Or who shut in the sea with doors,
When it burst forth and issued from the womb;
When I made the clouds its garment,
And thick darkness its swaddling band;
When I fixed my limit for it,
And set bars and doors;
When I said, "This far you may come, but no farther,
And here your proud waves must stop."
~Job 38:4-11

That's just a portion of that chapter. If you get the chance (or are willing to make the time), I would encourage you to read the entirety of this chapter and the next. God is both powerful and good. Who do we have to fear, but Him.

Even if our worst fears come true and the President chosen is godless and tyrannical, we have our Shelter and our Protector. Praise the Lord for the mercy He has shown our country thus far. We have been given far more than we deserve. And to His children, our true home isn't here anyway. Remember we are just pilgrims.

So tomorrow, don't worry or fret. Just pray, trust God to guide you to the candidate He would have you vote for and leave it in His hands. He is Sovereign.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow amanda, thank you for those words we often forget.

Laura said...

very well put :)

people (from either side) say how if one candidate is chosen over the other the country is doomed. I just recently remembered myself that no matter what, God will take care of it. God will put who he wants in office, whether it be a step in a better direction, or a step closer to his second coming.

Laura said...

Actually, I did not do the painting. My manager did. I painted one face, but I had a really bad brush so it came out badly. I brought in some nicer brushes, which were the ones used to paint the butterflies in the picture.


I love your new blog default picture, by the way :)

B-E-A-Utiful!

Amanda said...

You're welcome Jen! I'm so glad that you can vote this year!
Thank you Laura! You're so sweet!And even if you didn't draw the butterflies, you still looked pretty darn cool! : )

Newton said...

Thank you Amanda. Believe it or not I have a hard time to talk politics with some people. Although I love to stay up to date and see what others think I always get a weird feeling in my gut during a political conversation. I have learned to trust God for the outcome, and not be afraid. Whomever gets elected I am going to stand up for Christ. BTW the focus on the family broadcast yesterday was terrific! It wasn't about the candidates and politics so don't worry. Go online and download it!