Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Thankfulness Election of 2008

As a Conservative Christian, it comes as no surprise that the candidate I voted for yesterday did not win. And how are we to respond?Well, I’m responding with thankfulness. Not thankfulness for a loss… that is out of the question. But thankfulness for the freedoms I have been blessed to enjoy in this country.

I’m thankful for my right to vote! That at the end of the day, we get to choose. I was teaching my children about Germany this week, and Hitler came up. Though I oppose Obama in so many ways, he isn’t Hitler.

I’m thankful for peaceful voting. There will be no battle or war fought over who is the next leader of our country. The winner will rise to the top, and the one who lost will step back and let him lead. Wow, peaceful. And rare in the world’s history.

I’m thankful for the right to worship my God as I please, where I please, how I please.

I’m thankful for the right to teach my children at home with the values and educational standards I see fit.

I’m thankful for my right to pray! I remember Daniel – even that simple right – of silently praying to our God – his government tried to strip from him.

I’m thankful for my right to have freedom of speech. I can talk to others about my faith in Christ without fear of governmental persecution. I can blog about it. I could write a book about it. I could start a TV or Radio show about it. That is a freedom most people in our world do not have.

I’m thankful that I can have my own business in whatever I set my mind to do, and I don’t have to ask permission.

I’m also thankful that I can take measures to help the poor, give to widows, aid the sick, stop abortion, and overall do many good things without the government’s permission.

In the end, I have so much to be thankful for. Mostly, I’m thankful for something no governmental authority or ruler on earth can give – my Eternal Home, that God is preparing for me. I’m glad to be a part of His eternal kingdom.

I pray that regardless of what the government does to my money, our taxes, the environment, the economy, our freedoms, or my personal situation, I will remember that I am free in Christ, and I pray I will live a life personally worthy of the calling I have received from our great and mighty God, and serve Him faithfully until the end.

Philipians 1:27, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."