In 2016, the presidential election dominated everything. It consumed nearly every social media post I scrolled past, every conversation I heard and every news report I watched. If it wasn’t one candidate saying, doing or being accused of something scandalous, it was the other.

Christians on both sides made equally impassioned cases for their version of the right thing to do, complete with doomsday prophecies, if-then predictions, and even suggestions that anyone voting for the other candidate must not really be saved.

Overwhelmed with the bombardment of “advice” and disheartened at the ugliness I often saw between candidates and voters, I would sometimes think, under the shadow of a double-handed face palm, What is happening to our world and what the heck am I supposed to do? 

But then one day, God showed up with a much-needed reminder. I don’t remember exactly when this happened or how. All I know is that I was in the middle of one of my frustrated-at-everyone fests (scrolling through Twitter was likely involved) when the reminder dawned on me, kind of like a light bulb that flicks on quietly in the corner, lending a soft glow to the darkness.

Moral Depravity Surrounds Us

First, God reminded me that I shouldn’t be surprised at the moral state of our society.

If there is one thing the past election cycle did well, it exposed how significantly religion’s influence in America has waned. We have witnessed the rejection of God’s perfect design for men and women, the acceptance of brutality against unborn innocents, promotion of assisted suicide, and threats to religious liberty — just to name a few hot issues.

But this shouldn’t catch us off guard. “Understand this,”  Paul tells us,

that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

This is human nature, and it’s nothing new. In the time between Christ’s ascension and his return, we are told that we will encounter the exact kind of behavior we are seeing today. This is the way politicians, celebrities, and even our neighbors will behave.

Acknowledging the inevitable depravity of humanity, even in our own country, will help us to deal with it accordingly. When it feels like the entire culture is calling goodness evil (Isaiah 5:20), that’s when it’s most difficult to obey. Paul tells us to “Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9).

But thankfully, we are well equipped to do so: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13).

Our Ultimate Calling

Then, God reminded me that no matter how bad the world is and no matter what our political preferences are, my calling as a Christian remains the same:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).

If I am getting so caught up in the election of temporary, earthly rulers that it clouds my faith and distracts me from this ultimate call, then I need a serious gut check.

Everything In Love

Finally, God reminded me that carrying out this calling must be done in love.

It’s easy to be upset, angry and bitter about what is happening in our nation politically and culturally. Often, it seems like it’s even easier to be angry toward fellow believers with whom we disagree on politics than with nonbelievers with whom we don’t expect to agree.

But that is not how Jesus calls us to shine his light. In John 13:35 he tells us, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

And that love isn’t just for our brothers and sisters in Christ:

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35).

In a post-election America where many people just are as divided and angry at each other as they were before November 8, this reminder couldn’t be timely enough.

Three Resolutions

I’ll need many more light bulb reminders before I really get it. But for now, instead of perpetually shaking my head in exasperation, I’ll start 2017 with these three resolutions:

Don’t be surprised at the state of our world. Put on God’s armor and hold fast to truth. Keep sharing that truth, and do so with love for all.