Tuesday, November 9th, 2021

Partisan squabbles always make up a considerable portion of national news, and the fact that they are ever-present tends to make them seem more important that they are. It’s not a bad thing by any stretch to be informed, or even concerned about what goes on in politics, but where we slip up is if our concern turns to obsession. When we see the world thru a lens of partisan politics, we over-simplify the forces of this world – we place power, affirmation, and expectant hope in places that cannot give us reciprocation. When we look to politics for solutions for everything wrong in our lives, we don’t look to Jesus for his solutions. When we look to our political leaders to fight for us, we do not see Jesus standing in the fire with us. When we blame politics for the struggles in our lives, we don’t see the plans Jesus has for us in them. Paul wrote, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” This world will not be without struggle, and many will come saying they can bring the solution. Sometimes they may be able to alleviate temporary situations, other times not. But what is important is these struggles we endure are not meaningless. Jesus did not endure the cross for nothing. Paul says here that it was “for the joy that was set before him.” That joy was not up in the air; it was not just a possibility or a hope for a better tomorrow. It was a promise, a guarantee. He endured because he knew the joy that was coming, and He promises the same to all of us. Today, rather than spending our days worrying about what politics can do to make our lives slightly better, focus your attention on the one who guarantees joy.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2