1st Corinthians 13:13 by Jason G. Lutz

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three (1st Corinthians 13:13)

I imagine that I am not the only person who will be happy when this election ends. Perhaps this is correlated with the use of social media, but it feels like one simply cannot escape election coverage. And it is seldom coverage of the good kind. I typically do not get caught up in it; not because I am above it, but because I am to easily distracted by soccer or articles about body-weight training. But this past 6 weeks I have been caught off guard and caught up in various articles or coverage, and in all honesty it has lead me to feel awful.

Let us start here, we should be involved in the political process. Christians should be informed and should seek to develop ideals free of contradictions. We must also admit that we cannot control the negativity of the political process. On the most fundamental level political campaigns are built around the old marketing model of FUD: fear, uncertainty, and doubt; because it sells. Over the last few weeks I have been angry at him, bitter with her, fearful of both. It’s not healthy.

So what do we do? Some would say that we should not let our emotions affect us. Some would say that maintaining authenticity through it all is the most important thing. I think all of this rings hollow and impossible. I think right now is when Christians need to articulate that which abides: Hope.

Hope is knowing that our Father is working all of this to His ending, which is the reconciliation of the faithful to Himself. This cannot be taken away. Hope is understanding that nations and cultures have come and gone but His Kingdom and His Church remain and will remain. Hope is knowing that our Father will give us the wisdom we need as the world around us attempts to influence our emotions. Hope is knowing that He is able to repair our bad decisions no matter how big or how small. 1