Elections and Life
So much to do, and so much to say! I could do many other things, but for you, my reading public I submit the following:
Yes, the Republicans got beat pretty badly. When people like Rick Santorum from PA lose, a man who sticks to his guns and honors God boldly in a leadership role, you know that God is trying to say something. Yeah, we could point the blame at the wishy-washy Republicans who have been forsaking true and bold Conservative principles for a while now. 
(And I am hopeful about getting some really strong candidates out there next time, which is why it’s important for us to vote in the primary.) Or we could point the finger at Evangelical Christians, who traditionally don’t vote in high numbers. Many of these brothers and sisters don’t believe they have a duty to vote, or think they don’t make a difference with their one little vote. (That’s like saying one soldier doesn’t make a difference with his one measly gun. 50 guns make a difference, as do 50 votes, and so on. But I digress.)
The blame can be pointed in several directions, but the fact of the matter is that when ungodly leaders rise to power, it is a judgement against the people. My friends, we should point the finger at ourselves! Yes, there are a lot of ungodly people in this country, but it is largely the Church, Believers, that have left the Truth and are seeking their own selfish ways. This causes a domino effect that brings apostasy to the land and judgement upon the people! I have long felt that the way to bring our nation out of the pit of destruction that it is in is to call God’s people to repent and return to the Truth!
I am not saying “What’s the matter with you, Church of Christ?” 
However, I am saying to myself “Jarod, do you think the little sins, or moments of weakness or selfishness, play no part in the judgement of your country?” 
I am not perfect and I sometimes make mistakes or simply outright rebel and choose to do wrong. Should I expect those “little things” to have no effect on the overall health of the Church? Certainly God forgives us, and when I return to him he always forgives me and cleanses me from all unrighteousness. “He restores my soul.” But that does not always remove the consequences from my sins, and I must sometimes endure the consequences still.
Perhaps some of the consequences are of a more spiritual nature? That is to say, maybe the consequences of my bad decisions are not so very noticable in the physical realm, but in the spiritual realm perhaps their impact is felt further than I realize? Perhaps those wrong choices, those sins, have contributed to the need of judgement by the Lord.
Look at it this way. In the same way that my vote combines with the votes of thousands of others in my county, state, and country to elect the person that we all want, so does my “little sin”, my compromise, combine with all the other “little sins” of my fellow Believers to make a Church that is weak and apostate, and that in turn brings upon us the judgement of God.
I guess I’m in a sober mood. I am recognizing in a little way the far reaching impact of those things that I thought, at one time, only affected me.
But things are not all bad. 
We have hope in Christ! He can change us, and purify his Church, and bring Reformation, a Great Awakening, to our nation! Hope thou in God my friends! Wait only upon Him, and He shall bring it to pass.
Life continues to move along, and seems to be getting pretty busy. I’m only getting married in two months. I can’t imagine why my life is getting busy. 
We’ve settled on a place to live and have begun making preparations to move in. I will move in sometime in December. Looking forward to having you all over. Sometime. Eventually. Many weeks after the wedding. 
We had pictures taken for the invitations recently, and they are excellent! I will post some when they are scanned into a digital format.
God’s goodness to me continues to be abundant. His loving kindness never ends.
Let me know what you think of the things I have spoken of in this post. Am I totally loony tunes, or is there truth hidden in there somewhere?
About The Author
Preacher Dad
Jarod has been a pastor, construction worker, restaurant manager, ministry administrator, children's story teller, author....in no particular order. At heart he is passionate about the Truth, and has been called to proclaim that Truth from an early age. He is committed to his wife and eight children, and seeks to have a lasting impact upon the future by discipling his family. He blogs at PreacherDad.com on parenting, preparing, and cultural impact.
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I do think that our “little” actions, thoughts, attitudes, whatever, affect others more than we realize. You will probably start noticing this more as you move toward marriage. 🙂
Thanks for the admonition. I’ll have to camp on the thought of consequences being of a more spiritual nature for a while more.
Cannot wait to see the pictures!
Ha! Yes indeed, I can agree with and relate to the previous comment, being in a serious relationship myself. Jarod, thank you for sharing your thoughts in this post. None of it was loony!!
Definitely. One talk show host my brother heard recently said, “One morning, you’re going to wake up and it’s all going to be different.” —He was referring to the shift in our nation. The ramifications of “different” are likely to affect us in ways we’ve not yet known as a nation.
While the election results are shouting our country’s putrid condition, it hales for the much-desired return of the Prince of peace! He is coming for those who “love His appearing…”, and our lifeless mediocrity as a church spells that we’ve not been in a place to love his appearing or even think it was something to passionately desire above affluence and good economy! Though we are indeed responsible, according to Scripture, it will have to get worse before it gets better. John 16:33 has given me much cause to hope, and yes, “Jesus, do help me to take personal responsibility in these days!”
Thanks for the post and congratulations on the place God has provided for you both! Blessings in Him. Maybe I’ll get to see you guys at another certain matrimonial event in the new year! 😉
I really liked your example of the soldiers/gun and the indvidual votes. I’ve met people who don’t think it matters much to vote, or who say they only vote in the Presedintial elections… Although, if they don’t know much, it’s probably best for them to stay home. I wonder what elections would be like if only the those who knew why they were voting, voted….
As to the rest of your comments. I think I agree…..although it’s pretty deep and has a lot of doom and gloom. 🙂
-L
I used to want to go into politics…but then I realized that I could probably be more effective just voting myself and taking my friends with me. This election I didn’t do so well at preparing, but I voted! To be honest, I was very disappointed in some of my friends who didn’t go vote. I asked them how they could complain about the way the world is and not do thier part? It is the apathy of so many Christians that has helped put our country where it is. They have bought into the idea that there is government, and there is church. Oh how that must break God’s heart! I totally agree with your thoughts on our little choices. May those whom God has called rise up! May we realize what our responsibility is and do it!