“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

When I was a pastor in Texas our church used to send short-term mission teams to Uganda every year with the exception of one year. Uganda was holding a contentious election and the US Department of State had put a travel warning for Uganda for the potential for violence after the elections. I remember thinking then how grateful I was that I lived in a country that did not have to worry about such things…

As I write this the voting polls are closing on the East Coast. Soon, numbers will start coming in. I pray that as you are reading this in the morning that the threat of violence was just that, a threat. I pray that there is a peaceful acceptance of the election results.

No matter how the election results come out, this I know: nothing happening today is catching God by surprise.

• For whatever today holds, God sent Jesus to make all that’s wrong, right
• For whatever today holds, Jesus established the church and sent the church into this world to be God’s agent of hope and light
• For whatever today holds, God is the answer, Jesus is our hope, and the church is God’s agent to establish God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven

The text today expresses God’s heart and will: “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” It is good and pleasant because unity is such an oddity in a world filled such acrimonious and differing opinions. Unity does not mean uniformity. Unity does not mean that all Christ-followers are pro-life, or pro-choice, or democrats, or republicans. For the Christian, the source of our unity does not lie in anyone or anything that is creation-bound. For the Christian, the source of our unity is Jesus Christ. Our commitment to Jesus is what unites us.

This means:

• Jesus is greater than any presidential candidate
• Jesus is greater than any political party
• Jesus is greater than any political ideology
• Jesus is greater than any other being or identity that vies for our ultimate devotion

When Jesus has his rightful place on the throne in the lives of his followers, there is unity regardless of who we voted for. It is Jesus who is the hope for our broken world. It is Jesus who can bring healing in our divided world. It is Jesus who can save those who are lost and dying for meaning, purpose, and direction.

Christian, we get to have the privilege and the honor to declare the truth of Jesus Christ to a world who desperately needs what only God can offer through Jesus Christ.

Tell the world. Tell your friends. God’s got this.

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).

By the end of the day some will be elated and relieved; others will be dejected and anxious.

There have been other contentious presidential elections in my life time. But I can’t remember a single election cycle where the threat of violence was present over the results of the election. Retailers and businesses are shuttering their doors and preparing for the potential for violent protests.

Is this the United States of America? What’s happened to our country?

Christian brothers and sisters, no matter who wins the election, God is still on the throne. God is still in control. And, regardless of who you voted for, what Christ calls the church to is to be his agents of love and peace, and Christ calls you to live out God’s love for others. The mission of the church hasn’t changed, and it will not change regardless of who wins the elections.

In an anxious-ridden, contentious, divided nation, be the church. Regardless of who wins the election, your neighbors are still your neighbors, your colleagues are still your colleagues, and your brothers and sisters in the church are still your sisters and brothers. While others may be anxious and even protesting, you Christ-followers, love your neighbors, coworkers, friends.

What our world needs is a people who are able to live above the anxiety and fear to be agents of peace and love. We live out this mission to love people because God is still at work through his church. More than ever, be Christ’s ambassadors of God’s love and peace. Today, and in the days to come, be the healing balm that our world needs so desperately.

Be the church!

“For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:30-31).

Seek first the kingdom of heaven and all these things will be added to you as well.

For many of us, this is a well known and often cited verse.

I find the context in which Jesus speaks this truth in the Gospel according to Luke. Jesus says that the nations of the world strive after all these things? What are these things?

In the previous verses, Jesus speaks about worrying. Particularly worrying about what to eat and what to wear. Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about such things because the Father knows that we need them. There’s a reason why these two things go together – not worrying, and the Father.

When I was pastor in Texas, we regularly sent short-term mission teams to Uganda Africa where we worked in a children’s center that took in orphans. The only kids who worry about what to eat and what to wear are orphans. My children may have had worries about lots of things, but they’ve never worried about not being able to eat or not having clothes. In fact, it would really silly for them to do so when mom and dad were around who provided more than enough for them.

That’s the point. Jesus says to his disciples, you are not like the other nations. Unlike others, you have a Father. The Father already knows everything you need and provides for you. So stop acting like orphans! Stop with your worrying. That won’t get you anywhere. Instead, focus on your Father. Focus on what he’s called you to be. Seek the Father’s will. And all these things will be given to you as well.