When I trudged up to bed last night, my half-asleep husband lifted his head and asked what the results of the election were.  When I told him he muttered, “cr#$%p”, and went back to sleep.  That’s pretty much how I felt when I realized Mitt Romney would lose.  Disappointment, disbelief and confusion swirled around me.  I’m thinking most Republicans have felt the same way these past 24 hours.

But, although my party identification is Republican, my core identity is a Christian, so I tried to take solace in the Word last night as I went to bed.  And I began thinking about how a Christian should respond.  It’s a tricky thing living in this world and not of it.  This nation is a unique place; I don’t believe there has or will ever be anything like it.  The founders, despite their faults, put together with much wisdom and humility a government that is a brilliant design of checks and balances. To see that unravelling makes my heart hurt.  Every time I’ve stood in front of the flag lately and heard the national anthem, I listen with more of a sense of love for country and a greater appreciation for the freedoms we still have in this land. 

Yet, I am truly a citizen of a different kingdom.  Should I despair that Mitt Romney was not elected?  I don’t think so.  God is still on His throne.  The more I read in the Bible, the stronger my faith is in the God who rules history.  I must remind myself of His attributes.  He has perfect knowledge and always acts in wisdom, though I can’t hope to fully understand it.  His ways are not my ways.  At times I must put my hand over my mouth and just stop speculating about His will in all this.  This nation will not last forever, and sometimes I put so much stock in winning the political arguments, like that will save this nation.  No.  Government and politicians were never designed to be our saviors.  Neither Republicans nor Democrats have the ability to usher in a perfect society, free from inequality and injustice.  Maybe now I can refocus my faith on our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who calls me to put all my hope and trust in Him.  He is worthy of my trust and is seated right now at the right hand of God until all His enemies will be made a footstool for His feet. 

It is okay to love your country, especially this one, in my opinion.  But let’s be careful as Christians to put our heavenly citizenship on a higher plane of importance.  As Peter says in 1 Peter 2, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…and we are aliens and strangers in this world.  As a result, we are to, “show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the King.”  1 Peter 2:17