The Church Will Be the Church

This past Sunday, my church celebrated the Lord’s Supper, an act of unity in Christ. At that table were Clinton supporters, Trump supporters, and third-party voters. Every one of us brought our own unworthiness to the Lord and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, were met with grace as the risen Christ ministered to us. It was a powerful time of communion and I look forward to doing it again next month.

Then, last night, our church family met together again for a prayer service. We surrounded two dear sisters who are battling cancer, lifting them up with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, offering our petitions with thanksgiving up to God.

Next week, we will welcome new members into the covenant life we have built together in our little local church.

Later this month, we will celebrate as a family brings children forward for the sacrament of baptism, that glorious reminder that God is faithful to his people from generation to generation.

I tell you all of this because if you listen to the talking heads on TV, the fate of the United States hangs in the balance today. Vote the way I don’t like and the next Hitler will rise to power (I’ve seen this about both major party candidates). It’s silly. It’s disgusting. It’s American politics.

Who knows, maybe they’re right. Maybe historians will look back on this election and declare that November 8, 2016 was when the United States crossed the rubicon and began imploding on herself. I doubt it, but maybe.

Here’s what I do know. No matter who wins in the election today, no matter what party takes hold of the reins of power, no matter which color – red or blue – is cheering at the end of the night, the church will keep doing what she’s always done.

We’ll celebrate the sacraments. We’ll welcome new members into the church family. We’ll worship Lord’s day by Lord’s day, awaiting the return of our King.

The church, in other words, will be the church.

Because the fate of the nation is not the fate of the Kingdom.

Because while the world around us boils with despair and discouragement, we are reminded again and again of the hope found in Jesus Christ.

Because for as long as the people of God have walked this earth nations have risen and fallen.

And we have persevered.

We will continue to do so. No matter what happens today, Christians will continue to worship and pray and build one another up in spiritual gifts, sharing in the sacraments and walking in the light of the Lord.

We do it because we’ve been commanded to. And it is our joy to obey.

So vote today. It’s important. And who you vote for is also important, so vote prayerfully.

Then come worship on Sunday morning, because no matter what happens over the next couple of days,

The Church will still be the Church.