Many Americans are apprehensive about what the results of the elections would mean. The question of who the next US president would be raises the anxiety levels in the hearts of many, for in their minds neither candidate presents a truly embraceable option. In what direction will they lead the nation? What will America be like in the foreseeable future?
I write from a Christian perspective, with Christian concerns, to Christian readers. I also do not intend to give the kind of answers that may seem like the next president will determine what manner of life I will live. Of course, the direction the nation will take politically or morally could shape the circumstances and create the challenges that I may have to face. But it ought not determine the foundation on which I build my life.
Christ must remain at the core of my sense of who I am and what I am about. My freedom is not dependent on my circumstances and is not determined by whichever president is in power. My freedom is in Christ. And my devotion remains fixed on Christ above all. Therefore, I will continue to live my life trusting him and obeying him as best I can, no matter what.
One of our concerns is about the children under our care or influence. Instead of worrying about what kind of society in which our children will be growing up, perhaps we ought to focus on what kind of environment we ourselves are going to provide them—as a Christian individual, as Christian parents or guardians, as a church.
There are many areas of concern that we can address. I just want to focus here on one key principle: What do the children observe in us? Do they actually see the values and truths that we say are important to a follower of Christ? For example, do they actually see us giving demonstrable value and worth to the worship and service of our Lord? On this matter, John Piper says it well: “Our arguments for bringing children to worship … will only carry weight with parents who … really love to meet God in worship and really want their kids to get that and grow up breathing that air. The greatest stumbling block for children in worship is parents who don’t cherish doing that worship. They don’t love it. Children can feel the difference between duty and delight. They know if dad loves being here. So, the first and most important job of a parent is to fall in love with the worship of God.” Perhaps I’d revise that last statement and say, “to fall in love with God and delight in worshipping him.”
Society will be what it will be. But it should not determine who I will be and what I will do. Only Christ has that right in my life.
—Keith Y. Jainga