Who Will Serve?

It’s almost 1 a.m. on Election Day, and according to the news services, passions are running high. The polls won’t open here for another 6 hours, but voting in the rest of the country is already well underway. Actually, with absentee ballots and early voting, a surprising 14% of L.A. County has already cast their ballots.

I have always exercised my right to vote… indeed, I count it a privilege to be able to cast a free ballot, to voice my opinion, and to campaign without fear of reprisal. I thank God for the blessings and protections that we enjoy (and often take for granted) in this country. I urge you to cast your vote, too. Whatever your affiliations, leanings, or views, I hope you take the time to let your voice be heard.

In many ways, this is a historic election. Well, aren’t they all? LOL!!! Either way, we will make history; either by electing a black president, or a female vice-president. Besides the national, state, and local elections, there are measures, amendments, issues, and bond acts to decide. And that’s where it comes down to the question: Who will serve? Who will get elected to serve a term in office? Which measures best serve the common good, and which serve only a few special interests?

Hmmm… who will serve? What about us? Will we support the newly elected officials, or will we cry “foul” if our candidate loses? Will we support the amendments just voted into law, or will we rush to court to try to invalidate them? Will we serve our country and our communities, or will we continue to serve only ourselves? So many people seem to be caught up serving the gods of politics, party affiliation, and self interest that the thought of serving God cannot occur at all.

I can understand Joshua’s frustration with the people of Israel when he said to them:

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua 24:14-15

As for me, I will serve the Lord! I will share the joy and the peace I have found in Christ with those around me. I will pray for wisdom, patience, humility, strength, courage, and faith for OUR new president-elect this week. I will pray for this country… for a healing from divisiveness, brokenness, frustration, and hate. I will pray for a renewal of spirit and faithfulness in this country, so that more and more people will decide to serve the Lord.

So choose! Who will YOU serve?

Your brother in Christ,

Dave