With the election season in full-swing, it is helpful for me to reflect on some eternal truths to keep my perspective in check.

God is Sovereign
Regardless of the outcome of the election season, God is in control. My hope should never be found in the right candidate(s) (it doesn’t look like we’ll have that option anyway). Yes, we should absolutely participate in the process, but our hope is not in the things of this world. The right person in office will not solve the problems of our country. The only real hope for this world is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Political View Conversion
I was politically minded before becoming a Christian and didn’t change much after my conversion. I debated politics on a regular basis with my co-workers who were not Christian. I read, researched and listened to all the right shows so that I could make the strongest case for my political view. At one point my opponent conceded that my view was correct.

Suddenly I realized that though I had created another supply-sider, this person would still some day bear the wrath of God. What a waste. Instead of loving this person and addressing his real needs, I was bent on showing how wrong his political views were. As debates go on around me at work I jump in here and there, but my focus should be on the gospel. This is the greatest need for the world around us. Political discussions can be a great impetus for gospel discussions, but only if that is my intent.

Importance of the Church
As my mind becomes filled with the current debates, candidates and viewpoints it is also helpful for me to reflect on the importance of the church. Piper’s sermon, The Cosmic Church, illustrates this well. Here are a couple of quotes to whet your appetite:

“The United States of America compares to the church of Jesus Christ like a speck of dust compares to the sun.”

“Most of us go through day after day and seldom feel the impact of the magnitude of what we are caught up in by belonging to Jesus Christ, the God-Man, the ruler of the universe. And we don’t take enough time to meditate on how our jobs, our home life, our leisure, our church involvement—how each of these fits into the cosmic significance of the church. And consequently our lives often lack the flavor of eternity and the aroma of something ultimate.”