Grace Notes 2024-10-30
In Wisconsin we are in the midst of voting. We are doing so in a contentious climate with elevated levels of polarity. The rhetoric is overheated. “This is the most consequential election of your life.” “The survival of the republic is at stake.” And on and on it goes.
To the best of my ability, I wish to provide some pastoral encouragement. I do hope you vote. It is our civic privilege and duty. As Lutheran Christians we do not eschew our participation in the civil realm, even though we clearly hold our most important citizenship to be in heaven from which we await a Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Some passion, argumentation, and persuasion are fine; but only in humility, with love, and in deep respect to those we address. This will be indicated by your willingness to listen to and respect the views of others. When enmity and rancor begin to occur, it is time to put the lid on it and move on.
We do well to remember the doctrine of Original Sin. Among us fallible, fallen, humans, there are no perfect candidates, parties, or positions. The Psalmist intones, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” We all have feet of clay.
Guard against your disappointments turning into despair. We are believers in a Sovereign God, after all. He works providentially. He accomplishes His purposes despite whatever advice we have to offer. And we are told in Scripture that for those who love God all things work together for good.
Finally, taking our mandate from God’s Word, we are to pray for “kings and all who are in high positions.” Our elected officials need all our prayers, whether they are the candidate of our choice or not. We all need prayer! It is possible for a person of good character to go bad, and for one with bad character to change for the better. Do not cease praying!
Since You Asked…
What good purpose is there in signing oneself (making the sign of the cross with the hand over one’s head and breast)?
This gesture’s main purpose is to remind us of our baptism where the sign of the cross was first made on our foreheads. The cross is a powerful symbol which reminds us of the depths of God’s love for us – He loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. In Holy Baptism we have been joined to Christ. Every time we sign ourselves we declare that we belong to Christ and that we desire to live for Him. We give visible expression that we serve the One, True God who has revealed Himself to us in three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.