After the November election, I got a surprise text from Jason, our granddaughter Ava’s father. Sixteen years ago, our family was in a custody battle with Jason. He brought police officers to our house. We took each other to court. We both feared violence would break out between us. After years of struggle, God gave us breakthroughs. We had to work to obey the Lord’s command to love our enemies. We had to resist bitterness and forgive each other. We had to overcome anger and learn to love each other. We suspended judgment and prayed for each other.
Today, Jason is following the Lord. We share meals when he comes by our house. We give each other gifts and occasionally hike, golf and pray together.
The text Jason sent me in November was a picture of his ballot. He had written my name in for US Senator. It is the only vote I have ever received, and it blessed me. It makes the pain of trials redemptive when our enemies are transformed into our friends and brothers in Christ. Jason’s vote was a symbol to me. I came in last place for Senator, yet it is possible to lose an election, and still win in life. That is a cause worth fighting for and a win worth celebrating.
I have strong opinions about faith, politics and our nation. My temperament has led to many arguments. However, I have never had someone say after an argument, “You have just changed my mind.” Second Timothy 2:24 says, The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome. Those who quarrel lose their influence in God’s kingdom. If our fellowship has been broken, we must seek to restore it. We are commanded to; Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2)
Judges and juries examine evidence and make decisions in lawsuits between people. I doubt those who lose lawsuits say, “The verdict convinced me that I was wrong all along.” The courts in our nation made determinations about the legitimacy of our election. If they have accurate evidence, they can decide who is right and who is wrong, but they cannot heal the hurts in the hearts of men.
Healing is a gift from the Spirit of God. Jesus came to bring healing to the brokenhearted. He can heal hurting hearts and he can heal our hurting nation. Our job is to walk in the Spirit, love one another and share the gospel of Christ. Our nation and churches were torn apart during the Revolutionary War and torn again during the Civil War. Believers had to fight in the Spirit to bring the peace of Christ and reunite our nation. Through prayer, forgiveness, love and perseverance, they made progress.
Now is our time to live out the gospel. Since my political opinions often lead to futile arguments, I’m going to keep the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17:21 my priority; I pray also that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe you have sent me. Since our unity shows the world that Jesus is the Son of God, it is a cause worth fighting for and a win worth celebrating.