11/7/12- Focusing on What Matters

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Rom. 10:17)

Thoughts:   When we pay attention to the owner's manual (like a car owner's manual) , it helps us to keep away from problems, and fix what is broken. Part of fixing anything is recognizing where the real problem lies (just ask my mechanic).  Allow God's holy yet loving Word speak to you. Our real problem is not our need to patch up something temporary, but to fix something permanent- and the glue for that is not a vote but faith.  Believers walk by faith and not by sight- looking at things the world does not see- with a different focus. 
     Today, after an important election, perhaps we can shift our attention to what really matters. The world will tell you it is some political agenda, or social issue or especially- "it's the economy." But none of these agendas last beyond the grave. They are like putting "fix a flat" on a worn out tire, or pouring "stop a leak" down a radiator of the human problem. The real American problem is the real human problem.  While Christians are called to be good citizens, our ultimate home- is another place. Paul tells the Roman citizens of Philippi, "Their minds are set on earthly things...but our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20). We have a more important everlasting kingdom of which we are a part. Three hundred years from now, no one will remember who was elected yesterday. But the eternal God is still on the throne. Listen to the owner's manual.

Prayer: Give me ears to hear what is important today, O Lord. Be with our newly elected (and re-elected) leaders. But above all, O King, lead me in the way of truth and love.