It is the last Sunday before the presidential elections, and there is one sentiment everyone agrees with: So glad, it’ll be over soon. I haven’t experienced so much ‘ugly’ in all of the years since I became a US citizen, and it filled me often with great sadness to witness anger, accusations, racial slurs, violence and inflammatory language at rallies, in debates and on social media. Our Pastor Bob talked this morning about the story of Jonah and the different options he was facing: 1) RUN away,  2) REPENT, or  3) RE-ENGAGE the mission. As our society becomes more secular and hostile toward the Gospel, Christians often wonder what our role is and what we can do to bring a lasting change of peace and unity among the people. Do we want to run away from the challenge? Do we want to repent and acknowledge our own sins?  Or, do we want to re-engage the mission?

The choir sang a beautiful anthem this morning, arranged by Mark Hayes, which offered some encouragement, that might help us to stay centered in our faith, when the world around us seems to be falling apart. We, as followers of Christ, want to keep in mind that there is nothing to fear. Death died on the cross for us, yet fear drives people into darkness and despair, anger and hatred. The opposite of what God expects from us: Trust and believe! Society probably would be less hostile toward Christendom, if more Christians would actually demonstrate the light, hope and joy that drove out the darkness on the night at Golgatha.

Let’s pray this often: Make me a channel of Your Peace, and let me do Your will – not mine!

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

We’ll be just fine, even if the elections won’t turn out the way we want and the ‘other’ candidate wins – him, her or 3rd party.  God doesn’t need us to defend Him. He needs us to be the light of hope, the goodness, the joy for others. “Be a sign of His grace! Offer the transformation to the world as it was offered to us!” The “Jonah Option” sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hczpFxIQNKg