“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 Endurance After the Election I am writing this newsletter article on October 24, 2024. The presidential election is in 12 days. So, probably by the time you are reading this, the election will be over. This has been a tumultuous 18 months with more than the usual drama during a presidential election. We have never in our lifetimes seen a former president run again. We have never seen one of the nominees step down just 4 months before the election. We have never had a woman of color running for the office. We have never had candidates in their late 70’s and early 80’s running for the office. We, as Americans, have had to take in a great deal these last 18 months and process many points of view right after going through a pandemic and a global shutdown. Tumultuous is too small a word for what we have endured in the 2020’s. Endure is a good word to describe our lives. Some might think it is a negative word, but I don’t think so. The word “endure” comes from a Latin word that means “to harden,” as metal is hardened for battle. The Greek word means to “bear up against,” like shields taking blows in battle. Like the whole book of Hebrews, this passage carries military overtones. Endurance is what the Christian life is. Christians have been hardened against evil by our baptismal waters. We are strengthened to withstand all adversity by the body and blood of Jesus. We are given the inside information by the Word of God so that no matter what we hear from news people or politicians, pastors or teachers, bosses or coworkers, we already know who is in charge and the direction in which we are going. I can imagine that after the Presidential election, some will be gnashing their teeth in sack cloth and ashes, and some will be celebrating their victory, but the truth is the same. It always has been the same. The truth is in the Word of God and no leader great or small is able to change that. Maybe the new president will be amazing and the nation will prosper. Maybe the new president will be horrible and the nation will circle the drain. But no matter what, we endure. We have been hardened for just such battles and we do not depend on fleeting things like world leaders and rising or falling governments. Our calling remains the same no matter what. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” President Harris? President Trump? Either way, our calling is to make disciples and we have been gifted and armored for that calling. The National Youth Gathering the summer of 2025 has “Endure” as its theme and I have been taking the High School youth through the book of Hebrews as we prepare to attend the gathering. I encourage you to read Hebrews. It is not light reading and if you get too bogged down, focus on chapters 11 and 12. The author shows us some of the many people who have come before us and how God led them to accomplish His will even in difficult times. They all endured. I think Hebrews is a particularly helpful book for Christians of the 21st century. May God bless us as we continue to endure at Trinity. |
