Time magazine reported that “globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls [in 2024] as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world—are meant to hold national elections.” Judging from things in my neck of the woods, elections grabbed many people’s attention, fueling discussion, speculation, and emphatic expressions of opinions.
I do think we ought to be informed about the issues that affect daily life in the countries where we live, be concerned about who is elected, pray for our local governments, and vote if we can. But more importantly, we should remember that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). While the prophet Isaiah spoke of God’s chosen people as “elect,” 1 he was not talking about the results of a voting process. God is the one who does the choosing, not us (John 15:16).
While “change” is one of the top campaign promises candidates love to assure us of, it’s also good to remember King Solomon’s assessment: “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). He said that roughly 3,000 years ago, and history has confirmed the accuracy of his appraisal—with one very notable exception.
The Lord Jesus Christ, “while being perfect God, became perfect man and accomplished the newest of all new things, the only new thing under the sun, by which the infinite power of God was clearly shown. For what is greater than for God to become man?”2
What an unspeakable blessing, to be part of the kingdom of heaven, the only one that will stand forever. Jesus is the only one who can say, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5 NKJV), and actually do it.
Let’s continue to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16) and be imitators of God, as beloved children (Ephesians 5:1). “My beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).