I’m election-weary.
Weary of the venom. Weary of the uncertainty. Weary of the quarrels I see in my Facebook feed. Weary of the media’s endless revelations about the candidates, each worse than the last.
But mostly I’m weary of my inability to quiet my spirit and hold fast to the knowledge that God sits on His throne; He has not abdicated His authority to man. He reigns in heaven and earth and no election can change that.
There is no (D) or (R) beside His name. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The I AM.
God does not want my fear {see 2 Timothy 1:7}. He wants my trust in Him and my prayers for whomever we elect to public office. This election season is a mere stitch in the tapestry of time, but His is the hand that weaves it.
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. {Proverbs 21:1}
I’ve heard The Avett Brothers sing “Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise” in concert in both election and non-election years. The crowd always reacts to the following lines:
When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it.
The words ring true because they remind us of things we instinctively know but sometimes forget. No matter the results, November 8, 2016, will not change my relationship with my husband, my children, my best friends, or my Lord.
It will not change the autumn leaves beneath my feet, the warm sun on my shoulders, the distant stars scattered through the sky, the small graces hidden in my days.
It will not diminish the anticipation of my first grandchild (next spring!), the pleasure of a good book, or the satisfaction of wrestled words finally written.
It will not add an inch to my waistline.
If I allow this election to steal my joy, my hope is in the world instead of the Word.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. {2 Chronicles 7:14}
Sisters, will you join me today in prayer for our nation?
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Dawn,
Yes, what if His people prayed….what if we humbled ourselves before Him? I’m not a history major, but I look back to the Roman times – when there was just a parade of corrupt, narcissistic, paranoid, heathen, vile, perverted Roman emperors. The next one being worse than the last…and you know what? The church grew. Under oppressive leadership the church and the number of people of faith grew. I think when times are good, we get lazy. Maybe this is a wake up call – a call to action – for those who love Christ?? This world definitely needs the redeeming power of Christ…why don’t we spread it? Great post!
Blessings,
Bev
Kathy says
I totally agree with you, Bev, a wake up call for the church! And Dawn you spoke to my weary soul this morning. I woke up with anxiety over all that is taking place in our nation and our world. Your beautiful words “…a mere stitch in the tapestry of time, but His is the hand that weaves it.” is a beautiful reminder to me that He has it all under His divine control. I must be about my Father’s business not needless worry. Congratulations on the coming of a grandchild! They have a way of removing all the cares in the world. Blessings on your day!
Kathy
Dawn Camp says
Bev, you are so right—we get lazy when things are good and easy. May our faith be revived!
Mary says
Dawn, thank you for writing something so refreshing! I am trying to remember that He will still be on the throne November 9th! I am so grateful that we got the chance to meet in person this year! Blessings to you~
Dawn Camp says
Mary, believe me, I needed this message myself. Perspective is everything, right? I’m so glad we met too!
Eunice Eubanks says
At some point amid all the hoopla I decided for myself that God will be God no matter the outcome of this election or any other circumstance. I have purposely and totally invested my vote in the one I know will make the most out of any situation. I have devoted my vote to faith and prayer. I know a God who works all things for our good. . .even this. Wont He do it!!!
Dawn Camp says
Eunice, I love your words: “God will be God no matter the outcome.” Blessings to you today!
Lcrocker says
Thank you for this reminder as I am also election weary! My motto regarding this election is: Thy will be done. Pray. Hope. Trust.
Jesus is the King over all no matter what. It’s hard not to anxious when you love your country and want a better place for your grandkids.
Remember God is good all the time!
Sandra says
I recently shared a similar post on FB by Max Lucado. This is so much how I’ve been feeling. In Daniel 2:21, after God revealed the King’s dream to Daniel, the dream about all the kingdoms God would raise up, Daniel’s prayer of thanksgiving and praise included these words: “And He is changing times and seasons, He is causing kings to pass away, and He is raising up kings; He is giving wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those possessing understanding.”
I really like this translation (the Young’s Literal Translation) because of the form of present tense it uses. When this was translated from Aramaic to Greek in the Septuagint, the scholars often chose verb tenses to show that the action is still continuing even now! So literally, Father is STILL causing Kings to pass away, and raising up Kings! And while most of us would not say our president is not a king…he essentially is the ruler of our land. Come November 9th, the man (or woman) of God’s choosing will be the next president of the United States of America to fulfill His own purpose for our country.
Thank you, Dawn, for reminding us that God is in control, and that He will still be on His throne on November 9th. I will join you in prayer for the people of this nation; let us pray for a great revival! I believe (and hope) that Father is getting ready to pull our comfortable pews out from under us in order to grow us, HIS Church in America, for HIS Kingdom. Let’s pray we are ready for whatever Father is going to do, so we can join with Him! Let us give thanks and praise to the One and Only King of the universe!
Sandra says
Oops! Meant to say, ” While most of us would say our president is not a king…” I think you all know what I meant, though! Sorry for being so wordy! My heart was full this morning!
Tammy Speight says
I gladly join you to pray for our nation. For the first time in an election, I see the goodness of God so clearly as man is showing their evil side. I know God will heal our land. Thank you for relaying the truth of the goodness of God in this election season through your writings. May God bless you (enjoy that first grandbaby. There is nothing like one) and may God’s love be revealed in America again restoring it to it’s true glory.
Libby Sroka says
Yes I will pray. This spoke to me today , articulating all I am feeling. Reminding me that God is in control. Reminding me to not let my joy be stolen. And I am expecting my first grandchild in the spring too! Thank you for theses words of “incouragement”.
Barbara says
Oh yes, I will join in prayer. His is the hand that weaves! Thank you for your reminder of Who we serve.
Joan says
Thanks Dawn for your thought provoking post. You are absolutely correct, no matter who becomes president, president, the Lord God almighty is in complete control. He is our sovereign God who does whatever He chooses, whenever, however, he wants to, because he’s sovereign. Praise the Lord and may He continue to bless you!
An says
Dawn, thanks to the Lord for this beautiful posting 🙂 Our God is so good and yes, how we need to pray for our country, church, and each other. There can be such anxiety, weariness, and division in this election times, but our God prevails as we trust in Him, that His will be done as Lcrocker said 🙂 May the Lord guide our hearts as we seek to do His will in this time, shedding quarrel and divisions for His love and truth that grows the church, praying for true revival 🙂
Kay says
Dawn
Thank you for the reminder that God will still be on the throne on November 9th. This anxiety and acrimony is not healthy or helpful to any of us! I will join in praying for God’s will to be done, all candidates and related staff, and peace in our nation. May love and peace be in all of our hearts.
Catherine Morgan says
Thank you — for the encouragement, for the much-needed breath of fresh air. Praying that Christians of all perspectives will raise our eyes to our only King and rejoice at His beautiful plan, even when that includes marginalization or persecution or a good humbling. He uses the most unlikely things to win hearts and revive His people!
Kathy Cheek says
I had such hope for a revival in America after 9-11 in 2001 when everyone flooded the churches after we lost so many lives. But they didn’t stay…instead we seem to have gone from bad to worse as a nation.
I will admit that I have had to ask God to forgive me for not praying enough for our country and its leaders until this horrible election cycle that has shaken us to our core.
I want to believe that there are a lot of Christians praying now and I want to believe we can turn the world upside down like the early Christians did.
Gretchen says
Oh, thank you so much for this! I Am one who gets worked up about this election and needs to remember all that you’ve written….on a daily basis! One amazing thing about this nasty election is that people are turning more and more to God. And…our nation needed to do this.
Corena Hall says
Having journeyed a walk with Jesus has taught me the Sovereign God. In that storm I wrestled it felt like the fight of Jacob. And then I heard His voice and I know His voice, like He has said in His Word. That’s why this world is not my home. I do my very best and ask for God to help me. His peace keeps me because no matter whom is chosen as the next leader I know He makes all things work for the good of those that believe and follow Him. I rest in the power of the King of Kings! Vote yes, it’s God’s calling as a part of living. I detest habits not people because of how much Jesus did on the old rugged Cross for me. But I will not spread hate. I have preference yes. But it’s still my choice to avoid unnecessary bickering over my choices vs another’s.
Joada says
Dawn this was beautifully written. You wrote about almost everything I have been thinking about regarding these candidates, debates, the harsh words, accusations, and all the lies. The lies!! Absolutely horrific! I’ve been praying and will continue to pray. I know God is over all. His will be done.
Susan Kennedy says
That’s a good word. Thank you!!
Beth Williams says
Dawn,
Like you-I’m weary of all the “noise” of this election. Tired of all the “junk” emails I receive, from friends, about this election. I tell people the best thing we can do is pray. Pray for the election & whomever God puts in charge. I have already done my job and cast my vote! My candidate probably won’t win, but at least I did my part. Even Israel had bad, narcissistic leaders. There were many times that the people did what was right in their eyes. That is how I see our country now. I truly believe God is trying to wake us up and get us to turn our hearts back to Him.