Beauty for Ashes

Yesterday was emotionally charged, not because of who lost the national election, but because of who won. My first reaction was to shed tears of grief and disbelief that so many of my fellow Americans would even consider electing such a person to lead our country and represent us to the world. Based on what I had seen and heard in the media, there could not have been a more despicable choice. But now that it's over and I've been forced to accept what I cannot change, I turn to God and ask not, "How could you let this happen," but "where do we go from here?"

The answer is clear.  "Go to your knees. Trust Me to indwell and inspire what seems like a hopeless situation."  I've heard this same mandate many times throughout life. Undoubtedly, I will hear it again and again before resting in my eternal home. Countless times in the past, God has created "beauty for ashes" in my life, and I trust God to bring beauty out of the ashes of my beloved country.

The entire, tedious political campaign was built upon lies, dramatics, ugliness, and greed from both sides. It wore us down as a nation, but it got us talking and thinking and becoming involved.  It also reminded us to express our hard-won freedom by voting, to question the establishment, and most importantly, to pray. This election has made Americans care again, and that can't be a bad thing.

Today, I realize my tears were not only tears of sadness, but of judgment. Judgment based on outward behavior. But I'm reminded it is not up to me or any other human to judge a person's heart, despite the gross inappropriateness of that person's actions. I am reminded that hearts--even those we perceive as evil--can grow and be transformed. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." That "all" includes: Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Christians, Jews, Muslims, blacks, whites, me, you . . . ALL. But all of us sinners are loved by the God who created us.

As I move through the next four years, I will pray without ceasing. I will stay as informed and vigilant as possible, despite the media's manipulation of truth. Most importantly, I will place my hope in the ultimate authority of my true King and Ruler, Jesus Christ.