More powerful than hot takes, think pieces and outrage tweets

Today, it will be tempting for many to write a hot take or a think piece on the inauguration. Something to remind us of God’s sovereignty over all things, including secular government. Many have already written these. Many will passionately type that this isn’t their president, encourage resistance, spread hashtags, and sometimes get downright nasty (regardless of affiliation). Lots of folks are doing this.

And I’m already exhausted by it.

My goal in writing this isn’t to point a finger at anyone, to make a political statement or anything like that. Because I’m not a citizen, I can’t vote; I don’t have a voice in the process. I simply have to live with the decisions that are made. Further, I don’t want to speculate about why people voted the way they did for either candidate in November. We’re here in this moment and nothing is going to change it.

That includes bold hashtags, angry tweets and think pieces (like this one).

But that doesn’t mean we need to be resigned to this fact. All of us, whether we voted, chose not to, or are ineligible to vote, have a part to play going forward, especially those of us in the Christian community. That is to pursue the good of our neighbors. And that, always, starts with prayer.

• Pray for those who may be frightened because they feel unrepresented by the government and for an opportunity to be a practical encouragement.
• Pray for those in and outside of positions of power, asking the Lord to transform their hearts and minds so that he might be glorified in them.
• Pray that those who are weary of all the fighting across political aisles not to give up hope or doing good.

But don’t feel you must say something. Don’t get sucked into the muck and mire of angry tweetstorms. Don’t let frustration fester into bitterness.

Instead, pray and then say something if and when you really need to. Pray and then look for a way to show compassion to someone near you. Pray and then turn off Twitter instead of letting it fuel your frustration.

Pray, trusting that God is the good Father he says he is, and that as the Creator of the universe, all things are subject to him.

I realize that, for some, this might seem a wholly unsatisfying request. And maybe it is. But is it more wise and powerful? Without a doubt.

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Photo: Pixabay

• Category: Christian Living
• Tag: Christianity, Politics, Prayer