Remember remember...

Remember remember the fifth of November

The gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder, treason

Should ever be forgot...

These are famous words referring to the plot of a man named Guy Fawkes and his attempt to blow up the houses of parliament and made more famous in the 2005 film V for Vendetta.  The film takes place in a dystopian future in which a society has been taking over by a particular political party.  Rising to power through the use of fear, they govern with an iron fist convincing the populace that without them, the world will plunge into chaos.

The main character, “V,” elaborates on this in a speech:

And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now [insert political office], [insert politician’s name]. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent.

Now, before you dismiss this blog as simply another political ranting with baseless accusations, let me assure you that it is nothing of the sort.  Much of this is inspired by a brief conversation I had with my good friend Cody (http://blowingontheembers.wordpress.com/).

It seems like, with the election looming and the barrage of political ads and attack at their peak today, we too are confronted with a message of fear.  Slogans like “take back our country,” “fire Obama,” and speeches about how we should be afraid if we elect this or that person have become all too common place.  Practically impossible it has become to not be affected by this; and as Americans in the United States, we should embrace this electoral process.  The election and the campaigns are part of this democracy and are part of the freedom that we have been blessed with.

And yet… there still seems to be something wrong with this whole process…

With the unbelievably large amount of media coverage that happens these days, whether biased or not, it seems like every slip-up or misspoken word is another opportunity for an attack, a chance for a candidate to say, “See!!  If you elect them, this country is doomed!”  Ads have been run against both candidates that direct our attention to the other’s shortcomings whilst skirting past their own.  And, especially as I have observed this campaign process, I have noticed that fear has been the prevailing message of the times.  The vote this election is not for a certain candidate, but rather a vote in fear against the opposing candidate.  Whether this is one person or party’s fault versus the other is not the point, what is the point is that we are getting to the point where fear could indeed get the best of us… and that is a poor place for us to be certainly as Americans and absolutely as Christians.

Scripture is very clear about our posture as Christians in this world.  Paul writes in Romans 8,

…For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear…

The writer of Hebrews echoes this Truth in the 13^th chapter,

For he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

While there are some very real things that we deal with and struggle with in the world today, the election being a prime example, we need not be subject to the fear that some would seek to use to control.  Though this world, with its overabundance of issues and struggles might be full of difficulties, remember that Jesus says,

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Though it may seem as if everything is clouded in the darkness of lies and deceit, remember that Jesus says,

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

It may seem like the world is going to hell in a hand basket, we may stand in confidence knowing that our Savior is the Lord over the world, He sits on the throne at the Right Hand of God and reigning.  Remember, He is in control.  God is sustaining the world, working His will.  And we know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that no matter what evil or fear that we face, the outcome has already been decided.

So have your political opinions.  As Christians we should have them, we should vote, we should support those that we feel best represent our beliefs and convictions, but not out of fear.  God is in control.  When you step into that voting booth tomorrow, and you definitely should do that, cast your vote in the confidence that we have in Christ the true Lord of all and remember these words of God from Isaiah,

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Grace and Peace…