November 8

I’m writing this on the eve of the election and there are people all over the radio, the internet, and television working feverishly to get as many clicks or views as possible. And as always, the number one motivator is fear. (They don’t change what works.)

Let’s be clear: most of these people don’t care who you voted for. In fact, many people in the industry get BETTER ratings when their “opposition” is in power. Why? It goes back to fear. You can’t scare someone who is in power, except every four years when they might lose it again. My point is, as people in the industry know, ratings improve when you have four straight years of fear instead of just one or two.

These talking heads just want to keep you frightened. They do not care about you. They just want you to keep tuning in.

Listen, I hope you made an informed vote. But now, I hope you remember the words repeated often in Scripture: DO NOT FEAR.

As I write these words, some people are predicting widespread riots in the aftermath of the election. Others are predicting all churches will be shuttered for good. Some believe Covid 19 will never recede—or will be replaced by a version even more deadly. Any of these things could happen.

I don’t know the future. But neither do they.

Today’s Gospel ends with the rock-solid words: “You know neither the day nor the hour.” Those words weren’t written just for you. They were written for every person who predicted Y2K would bring tech to its knees. They were written for everyone who thought the Mayans might be right and 2012 was going to be the end. And they were written for everyone spreading fear and anxiety over what tomorrow might bring (whatever day you might be reading this).

I urge you to be prepared, be smart, be persuasive, be brave, be courageous, be concerned for our nation, even...but stop letting anxiety, fear, and worry control you. IT IS NOT OF THE LORD.

2 Timothy 1:7 states it perfectly—and I love the King James version here: “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Live and pray with power.

Love God and one another with intensity and action.

And use your sound mind to recognize when someone on your radio, television, or the internet tries to convince your heart that God isn’t still in control.

Questions? Comments? Email David at dlins@oloj.org.