Temporary President, Eternal King

Last night, as I watched a friend holler at the TV, utterly agitated by the flashes of blue and red coloring the map of the United States, I sat considering the length of four years. I questioned the actual extent of one elected official's power. I reminded myself that either Biden or Trump may be the next president, but my King forever will be God, a throne untouched by terror and anxiety. By around midnight, I reached my limit of a diametrically opposed nation's impatient chaos. I decided it was time to go upstairs and went to bed without feeling overly distraught.

This calm I feel is not a complacent thing. Nor is it bereft of concern. I keenly feel all of the things at stake in this election and all of the fears brewing so near to the surface. Whatever happens, different changes will come, be they to policy or just to public attitude. The cities poised on the edge of a blade with windows boarded and borders closing terrify me. The threats against Black people, whether alleged or legitimate, are insufferable. The world will continue to turn regardless of the results, yes, but what sort of violence may erupt in the meantime? What degree of hope will wither in those who put all their faith in one candidate? One man?

For these reasons and many more, I felt heavy with the matters of the world, and getting out of bed was difficult this morning. I kept praying while falling in and out of sleep with the hope that the next time I stopped dozing, I'd have a revelation of energy and be able to get up. But acting is more than individual motivation. That's a matter of emotion. And emotion, although important, should not define all aspects of our lives. If that were true, everyone would have the liberty to scream about politics without concern for the opinions and experiences of others; we'd all be able to claim that life is over when, really, this will just be another chapter in a book far lengthier than we realize. I got out of bed this morning (albeit an hour later than I should've) because there are still things to be done -- still people to love -- and still time for things to change. The characters in this novel of life that anger us, frighten us, motivate us, and speak where we cannot may seem formidable, but they are not the Author of this tale. God is in control. And although all of this seems overwhelming in the moment, He sees to the end, has a plan for what is to come.

So I will keep my eyes peeled for the way things will go. I will watch and participate as history unfolds. If some things really do proceed to break down, putting human decency and human safety on the line, I will stand as best I can with those affected. I will find ways to fight, both as a friend and as a citizen who can voice truth. Really, if you find that voting did not feel like enough, find those ways to go further! We always knew that this election would be tight -- it's just up to each of us to let the poll margins sit in that narrow place, not narrow our hearts and our minds. It just so happens that God has more power than any of our politicians. Even the most infernal of human devices cannot destroy so much in four years that God's goodness and justice, which are eternal, falters. No seeds of unpopular policy or hatred speak louder than His love. Watch our country. But, at the same time, also look above, because anyone who trusts the power of the highest Authority over old white men's promises will start to transcend fear.

Psalm 121 (NIV):

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains -- where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you -- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.