Now That Our Election's Sure

The verb elect means “to choose"; The adjective elect, used with hyphenation means “chosen but waiting,” as in President-elect; and the plural noun the elect is a Biblical term meaning “those chosen by God to follow Christ” (or as Arminianism puts it “those who choose of their own accord to follow Him”). So on this the day after the election, some may be wondering how that portion of the electorate [56 million people, 48%] who did not vote to elect President-elect Obama feel about the election outcome. Fair question.

I can't speak for others, but before I attempt to answer for myself, let me say that I love this picture on the left. I love the earnest smiles, the held hands, the prominent flags. I love the color--every inch of tone and color--in this frozen moment in time. I love seeing this marriage, this man and woman, with the two precious lives they brought into this world standing happily between them. It gives me hope in the enduring tradition of family that leaps out from this photo. I look forward to watching this family in the years ahead. I also share the collective pride that wells up inside each time Obama reminds us that only in America could his story lead to the White House.

So how do I feel? Like millions of others who did not vote for Obama, I can share in this day's jubilation in much the same way my foot taps when I watch a dance from a distance. Make no mistake--part of me recognizes the immeasurable significance of this moment. At a level that transcends politics and ideology, I am smiling with the country and the world as this initial celebration settles in.

You may be thinking to yourself, "Tom, scroll down to the posts you've written about this campaign. Are you now trying to tell us that you're letting go of all the caution you've been crankin' out about the kind of "change" Obama may bring? About the doubts you have about the rungs of his ladder to power and the wall it's leaning on. About the emptiness of words that once appealed to you? You expect us to believe you're now okay with this outcome?"

First, let me clarify that I haven't 'let go of my caution.' I still have deep concerns about what lies ahead. I stand by everything I've written here and believe time will bear my caution out. I would love to be wrong, but I suspect that once this wonderful celebration turns again to non-stop partisan gloating in the House and Senate, I may be tempted to change this conciliatory tone (because I doubt Frank, Schumer, Reid, Pelosi, Emanuel, et al will return the favor). But this isn't about how the other side will act; it's about how I elect to respond now that our election's sure.

As I've said previously, seeing America's first black president-elect is not only watching history in the making... it's watching His story in the making. In case you're new to the way people like me write, that capital "H" in His story refers to God not Obama.
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A friend sent me this quotation today from Ambassador Robert Strauss: "Everybody in government is like a bunch of ants on a log, floating down a river. Each one thinks he is guiding the log, but it's really just going with the flow." Strauss was making a political statement about the flow of public opinion and “the State," but most Christians consider the statement true on a different level.

Regardless of how we voted, I and many millions like me see last night's outcome as part of an unfolding story, an EPIC if you will in which good and evil clash and pawns and kings are often confused until their paths are rightly lit. A tale in which the "unalienable rights" and freedoms known in America are not guaranteed for all time. Our forefathers said they were "endowed by our Creator," and they were--for His purposes--but they are as unique as the story of America itself and have not always characterized life for those who follow Him. The liberty America has known during its breif 200+ years on God's timeline hangs by a thread we don't fully understand. The prevailing assumption of this election is that fundamental "CHANGE" [so far largely undefined] will do no harm to that fiber, but in truth there are countless reasons, lurking behind the jubilation of the moment, to believe that thin strand will soon be under more strain than ever from without and within. We do not know the future, but come what may, each turning page is HIStory, His epic story, written and unfolding according to His sovereign plan.

With that in mind, we take both comfort and direction in I Peter 2: 11-17: "Dear friends, you are outsiders and strangers in this world.... People who don't believe might say you are doing wrong. But lead good lives among them. Then they will see your good works. And they will give glory to God on the day he comes to judge. Obey Your Rulers and Masters. Follow the lead of every human authority. Do it because the Lord wants you to. Obey the king [President?]. He is the highest authority. Obey the governors....By doing good you will put a stop to the talk of foolish people. They don't know what they are saying. God wants you to stop them. Live like free people. But don't use your freedom to cover up evil. Live like people who serve God. Show proper respect to everyone. Love the community of believers. Have respect for God. Honor the king [President?]." Even when you have deep concerns about his ideology, agenda, bi-partisanship, and military insight. [That last part's not in First Peter 2, but since we know of Peter's death, we know "agreement" was not a condition of living under authority.]

It is out of respect to the office of President and to the significance of this moment, that I'm temporarily suspending my discussion of these issues. I plan to create a different blog for the occasional thoughts I may have as "CHANGE" or related world events play out in the weeks and months ahead. [Patronus Incognitus is that new blog.] The past weeks' partisan posts (and accompanying comments) from before the election, will be relocated to that new blog. I think our dialogue will remain as important as ever, but it's my desire to return Patterns of Ink to less issue-prompted writing. I hope that makes sense. I'll let you know when the "current events" counterpart to POI is up and running.

In the meantime, recognize why this moment matters, why it means so much to so many, "Rejoice with those who rejoice," and...
Be Still and know that He is God.

Lyric by Steven Curtis Chapman:

Be still and know that he is God...Be still and know that he is holy...Be still oh restless soul of mine...Bow before the Prince of Peace...Let the noise and clamor cease...Be still and know that he is God...Be still and know that he is faithful...Consider all that he has done...Stand in awe and be amazed...And know that he will never change....Be still. Be still and know that he is God. [repeat twice] Be still...Be speechless...Be still and know that he is God...Be still and know he is our father...Come rest your head upon his breast...Listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love...Beating for his little ones...Calling each of us to come...Be still...Be still...
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