![]() As we approach the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election tonight, I am shouting to myself, "BRACE FOR IMPACT". I do not think there’s a single person in our country who would argue this election season has not been ugly. Maybe even the ugliest election to date…definitely the ugliest I’ve seen in my lifetime. I'm not going to sit here and tell you why you should or should not vote for the candidates. In my opinion, that is adding to the ugliness of the election and I'm tired of reading why "this leader" or "that friend" passionately feels one candidate is wrong. I think both candidates are lousy and I do not want either of them representing me to the rest of the world. So as I face the final results tonight, I’m bracing for the worst because I fear the worst is yet to come. However, although I anticipate a tough road ahead, I am not without faith. In fact, faith is all I have left and (I’m realizing) all I ever needed. I haven’t blogged in awhile because life has been fairly crazy in my personal life; there have been some really tough challenges for a few loved ones and in a way it has consumed me both physically and emotionally. If I took the time to describe the last 3 months of my life, all the ups and downs and twists and turns, you wouldn’t believe it. So for the sake of time (and privacy), let’s just say life has been crazy ugly with a few shining moments of hope (like finally celebrating my marriage!). But through the crazy, I have felt firmly grounded in my faith. As I reflect on my personal life, I see so many parallels to what is going on in our country. And I’m reminded God is sovereign. He has a plan. His plan is perfect. And His plan is whole. We just have to be patient enough to wait for the whole plan to be revealed. And this is where I land regarding our country. Romans 8:24-27 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I have never prayed for our country so often or so sincerely as I have leading up to this election. I mean, I’ve prayed A LOT…for the people, for the politicians, before and after debates, for voting discernment, how to vote, what to vote for, etc. And although it’s been tiresome and at times discouraging when I felt like my prayers went unanswered, I’m reminded that although my timeline ended today (Nov 8 – “Election Day”), God isn’t living (or acting!) according to my timeline. He isn’t looking at the next four years…He is staring straight into eternity. And His priority isn’t our economy or foreign affairs. His sole focus is building His Kingdom. And if I shift my focus toward Him, everything going on in our world (both in my personal life and in our country) seems a whole lot less important. Everything going on around us is just noise, distracting us from His Plan and Purpose. And although this noise is going to create a tough road, it is not a road we set foot on alone. God carries us. All we have to do is keep the faith and let Him. So regardless of the election outcome, I’m holding tight to my faith. I’m going to brace for impact but not in the way you brace for a crash. I’m going to brace for God’s impact…I’m going to watch His plan unfold and be thankful for His sovereignty. Because His plan is solid and His Kingdom will be plentiful. Psalm 33:8-12 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm. The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation who God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Election Day, faith and an impact, Ashley Lucille
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Ashley LucilleJust a few reflections about everything God is teaching me in this life...a journey deeper into His purpose for my life. Categories |