Kings and Presidents

Election year! Does this excite you and get your blood boiling? Or are you sick of all the campaign ads and office bickering on candidates and just can't wait till it's over? Heaven help you if you've ever contributed to a partisan fundraiser before... I bet your phone hasn't stopped ringing.

I have a love/hate relationship with this political season. I enjoy the lively debates and getting revved up to support the causes I believe in.  But no matter what I feel about the candidates, the issues, the state of our economy and the American culture, one thing remains true: I'm honored to live in America. I'm privileged to belong to a nation where I can exercise my vote. And I am blessed to be a citizen of the most powerful country in the world.

Sure you can argue with me on the process of voting and electoral colleges (which gets quite discouraging) but I remain convinced that it's a privilege to live and vote in the United States. At University, a friend described the despair, passion, and anger  in the aftermath of a disputed vote which caused bloody crackdowns on massive street protests . This friend was from Iran. Can you imagine what it would be like to live there right now? I cried when she talked about her family and friends' frustration and experiences. Life in the United States isn't perfect (nothing in our fallen world is) but it's based on the principles of faith and freedom. I praise God that I was born here...

That doesn't keep me from being frustrated with the USA's political situation. There are many issues about which I am deeply passionate. A presidential nominee's view on abortion, for example, may  be the biggest factor in my decision to vote their ticket. My fire for such issues is what rushed me to the court-house on my eighteenth birthday to become a registered voter. That same fire still burns and sometimes, unfortunately, goes unchecked. Here, I must be wise and not let temper or pride over-rule my service to and love towards my fellow man. I'm here to bring God glory not bring glory to a political party.

So let's put this in perspective shall we? The following is borrowed from (my super-hero) Beth Moore in her study on the book of Daniel {Daniel: Lives of Integrity. Words of Prophecy  buy it. study it. cherish it}:

In your opinion, has American culture and its mores risen and fallen dramatically under the direct influence of each president? Yes or No?

From your vantage point, you may have answered the question with a yes, but the steady increase of depravity and godlessness in our nation despite several vocally Christian presidents casts my [Beth Moore's] answer with a no. We can have godly heads of state yet find ourselves nearly engulfed by the waves of godless culture. 

[...] Cultures are stronger than individual human leaders because they are dictated by the masses and cultivated by time. To evoke lasting cultural change a strong leader would require and impressive following and an equally impressive block of time. Cultures are also stronger than human leaders because they are influenced by unseen powers. Invisible principalities. 

When reading the above section in my study I had a difficult time letting go of my initial answer to Moore's question... I had to mull it over and let it sink in.

Just look at the bible, especially the story of Babylon throughout history. Leaders conquer, rule, and overthrow each other but the pattern--throughout time and history--is that God rules. He moves kings and kingdoms to work out His perfect plan (for imperfect people). He has already won the victory and His followers are set free from their sins. From the creation till the end of the world, our earth will bear His signature and fingerprints.

There is not one ruler, dictator, king, president, communist, socialist, capitalist, reformer, Republican, Democrat, libertarian, war, peacetime, culture, country, or movement that will change the outcome of this world. For the outcome is this: He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready." Revelations 19:6-7

I'm not trying to discourage you from voting or contributing to political debate and change. Just the opposite! Overall, I want to offer encouragement. Please, PLEASE stand for the issues that convict your heart, vote the Bible, defend the needy, fight for justice and care for widows and orphans. It is a privilege and honor to vote (GET REGISTERED, FRIENDS). Pray for your country AND its leaders NO MATTER WHAT PARTY THEY BELONG TO! This challenge is not just to you but to myself also.

Be a Daniel living and worshiping God in Babylon. Babylon was a kingdom ruled by godless men. But look at the transformation in King Nebuchadnezzar! Only God can author that story!!! Only God can deliver us from the unrest of the earth.

Happy Election 2012! May God stir the hearts of the candidates.

Love,
Kylie


Want to "political-party" like an animal and read up on the differing platforms? Then you're in luck because I included this link:  http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php  :)