World Series Lessons & Election Day

It’s been 108 years since the Chicago Cubs knew the thrill of a World Series title! 108! And it almost didn’t happen.

In the final game of this Series, the Cubs were ahead by three runs and then, in a blink of an eye, the score was tied. They were running out of innings and using up pitchers and their opponents were mounting a comeback. And then – it started to rain, really rain. A rain delay? Seriously!?!? What an ill-timed interruption to their already dwindling momentum!

But maybe not. Though they shuffled into the visiting weight room, they came out with clear focus and undeniable determination.

So the question emerges: what happened to reorient the Cubs during that 17 minute rain delay? By most accounts, the renewed zeal came because of the team meeting called by Jason Heyward. To rally his teammates he said he “just had to remind them of who they were.”

Evidently, his words made all the difference.

It seems to me that his “remember who you are” advice will help us in the aftermath of the American presidential election next week.

Because when we wake up next Wednesday we will wake up to bad news. Because there isn’t any truly good news to be had. By Heaven’s standards our country is not winning a championship game by an unbeatable margin. To the contrary, according to the examples we see in history, we are headed toward great loss. Historically speaking, countries and civilizations which operate outside of God’s parameters do not do well. And, unfortunately at this point, the United States fits the profile of a country operating outside of God’s rule of law.

We are on a problematic trajectory which will not be solved by changing the occupant of the White House. The problem is not in the White House. The problem is in the memories of We the People, especially those of us who identify ourselves as Christian.

So many of us are living with bad memories; we have forgotten who we are. Practically speaking we have spiritual amnesia about …

• Who we belong to
• Who died and paid for our sins so we can approach our holy God
• Who commissioned us to live with Heavenly purpose while we remain here
• Who already wrote the rules for how we live to bring Him praise
• Who defines love and kindness and justice and righteousness and success and beauty

The results of this presidential campaign won’t matter – UNLESS the results of this election cause us to begin to remember who we are. Unless we begin to remember Whose blessing brought success to this grand American political experiment. Unless we remember Whose power sustains us. And unless we remember to relentlessly pursue the commission He has given His people.

I’m praying fiercely that God will cause us to remember …

You are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. I Corinthians 6:20

I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

if My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.                          II Chronicles 7:14

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.                      I Peter 2:9

in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. II Corinthians 5:19

How do we start?

Instead of pronouncing “You should” on one another, let’s each ask Him what He wants us to do. Ask Him, “Will You help me to hear only your voice, Lord God? Will You remind me of who I am? What would You have me to do?”