I can hardly watch television anymore because it seems every television show has a political agenda. Even the sitcoms I used to enjoy lean one way or the other. And what makes it most frustrating is that it’s not for the good of the people as much as it is the goal for one side to claim victory over another. If we can make this guy look bad, that will be a victory for our side. If we can destroy this woman, our side will triumph. Though a matter might be ripe for discussion, we can’t do that because cooperation means absolute victory can’t be achieved. In our quest of the world’s affection, we must show that we are right in every aspect and that the other side is wrong in every aspect. It’s like we’re all living a grade school existence. We are left to wonder if worldly victory is any victory at all if only specific people may claim it. This is not what God would call victory because, in reality, there are really no true winners.
If we are to gain victory in its truest sense, then we must have our goals equal with our Father in heaven. If we are ever going to overcome the world and its ills, God is our only hope, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” You wonder why the pages of Scripture our crowded with God’s request to overcome the world, we have only to look at what the world has become. It’s a pit of self-centered worship, largely devoid of God and lacking any direction.
I might sound like a downer, but my attitude is anything but because we have a God who walks beside us every step and who has promised to save us from the claws of worldliness, “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Even though we are witness to the world tearing itself apart, we can take hope that God is still in control and that His love for all people will win in the end. It’s not the first time that the world has thought it knew better and, every time it has, it has served to draw the faithful even closer to Him. I’m absolutely convinced that a new awakening is just around the corner. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He didn’t say we may have trouble in this world, He said we will. Our current condition isn’t anything new. Sinners have always sinned and will continue to do so. It’s what we asked for in the garden. But God remains and He has everlasting plans for His people to escape the fate we, ourselves deserve.
So, if you see yourself “over-commited” to one side or the other in the political spectrum and if you claim that victory can only come by completely destroying the other side, then take a step back, take a deep breath and begin to make a change that replaces animosity with love. Be willing to talk through things with people who don’t necessarily share your views, with love and an open mind. Life is too beautiful to waste in anger. If anyone has cause to be angry it is God, yet, He still loves us with a love we could never comprehend. Let’s follow that example. Who knows, our little spark might change the world. Please pray with me:
Heavenly Father, forgive us for those times we have gotten lost in our worldliness. Help us to overcome evil with good and hate with love. Make us willing to share ideas with others and listen to theirs without any sense of hatred or bitterness. Help us, in our own small way, to make a change that glorifies You in the process. Thank you for Your patience with us and help us to always count on you in our trials. Show us that victory is only achieved in love. Amen.
