All Christians across the US have been given a moment this week. It’s a humbling, and challenging, opportunity to show the entire country what it means to follow Jesus, to show that we subordinate political affiliations to our affiliation to Jesus and his Kingdom. Let’s be honest, culturally we’ve been rancorously splintered into being followers of ‘a party’ but spiritually, we are all followers of the party of One. The whole world has eyes trained on us in our ‘moment.’ What we show the world matters. It’s an opportunity to be gracious to all, regardless of political affiliation. It’s an opportunity to ‘weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.’ It’s an opportunity to rigorously avoid perpetuating the animosity which has engulfed us like a dark and menacing cloud. And, as always, it’s an opportunity to be praying together for the incoming administration as Scripture teaches us. Scripture clearly tells us that Jesus has ALL authority in heaven and on earth, and that no authority exists above his (Having said that, we are to be respectful of leaders over us, obeying laws, and working for the civic good).
Then, it’s a moment for us to cleanse ourselves from the toxic nature of the past year and a half. Again, Scripture tells us we are cleansed by the washing of the Word. To accomplish that we can read more in the Psalms. Read the Gospel of John. Read the biographies of the saints. Get together with other believers for coffee and dessert and focused prayers of praise. Sing more. Sing His name! Keep at it until we feel we have fully cleared our lungs.
Finally, it’s an opportunity to get back on track with celebrating the main thing as the main thing. It’s been my privilege this week to be at the Vineyard East Regional Conference where the theme has been, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Do you know it’s been possible, in all our sessions, all our teachings, all our prayer and ministry times, to not focus on this past Tuesday? Not that it wasn’t important, but what we were focusing on was of much higher importance. (I feel like I’ve been cleansed!). My encouragement, as you listen to the Worship Set below, is to sing out at the top of your lungs, affirming the message of each song. I’m really looking forward to seeing y’all tomorrow, 10 AM, 3 PM UK, 4 PM FR. PD
