The Weekly Word: Election infection

By Robert Williams, Lead Pastor at The Bridge Church

Allow me to just be blunt for a minute. 2020 has just been a garbage. Can we just lament together? I don’t know. Maybe it hasn’t been that bad for some of you, but I just … man, 2020 has just been a hard, hard year.

For me, it started with Kobe Bryant dying. And some of you might find that a bit ridiculous, but as a kid, I loved watching Kobe Bryant. I’m not going to say he was the GOAT (greatest of all time), but he was definitely an inspiring individual. He was smart, driven, hard-working, and near the end of his life, just a great dad. And when Kobe died, maybe we should’ve known things were about to go south (ha ha).

But then COVID hit, and then George Floyd was murdered, and then the race riots began, then anything and everything that could be turned political, became political. Masks became political, sports became political, all the commercials became political. And as if things were not political enough, it is an election year! I don’t know about you, but I’m just worn out on it all.

The other night I was sitting in my living room and I made the mistake of turning on the presidential debate – don’t worry, I’m not about to make this article political – but I made the mistake of turning on the U.S. presidential debate and I only made it five minutes before I had to turn it off. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t watch it. I couldn’t handle it. It all just made me feel completely and utterly hopeless. I’m tempted to write-in “Mickey Mouse” on my ballot this year.

Here’s the thing, though: I’m not worried about the election. Don’t get me wrong, I plan to vote. I think it’s my responsibility and it is definitely yours as well. You should do your research, get educated on the topics/candidates, and go vote.

What I am concerned about, however, is the content of our character. I’m concerned about the aftermath, no matter who gets elected. I’m concerned about the content of the character of our nation, our leaders, our communities, and especially, our churches. So much so, that I’ll be preaching about it in our services this Sunday.

You can connect with us at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. in-person at 913 S. Main St., or online at www.thebridgechurchcc.com if you are interested in seeing what that is all about.

All of my concern is rooted in what a man named Paul wrote in Scripture:

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

— Philippians 2:1-4

No matter what happens on Tuesday, how will we treat one another? What will our response be? How will we act on social media? More importantly, what will the character of the church be?

Let me say it again, I’m not worried about the election. God is on His throne and no amount of policy or legislation will separate me from His love. You want to know what can separate us from God, though? Our sin. Our lack of humility and love for others. That was the dichotomy between the Pharisees and Jesus.

What will your response be? How will you love and treat others that disagree with you?

Will you gloat? Will you show grace in defeat, if it comes? Most importantly, will you exemplify the peace, love and compassion of Christ? If you consider yourself a believer, I pray you do. You should definitely concern yourself with that.