Good Morning Friends,
Every generation has values it prizes. Earlier Americans often emphasized hard work, civic duty, moderation, family, faith, responsibility, and simplicity. Today we frequently emphasize comfort, happiness, independence, acceptance, personal expression, and freedom. Many of these can be good. But Election Day asks us to consider something deeper than candidates and parties: Which values will you feast on this Election Day?
Scripture Summaries:
Philippians 2:5–11 Paul tells us to have the mind of Christ. Though Jesus possessed divine glory, He did not cling to privilege. Instead, He emptied Himself, became a servant, humbled Himself, and was obedient even to death on the Cross. Therefore God exalted Him, and ultimately every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Luke 14:15–24 Jesus describes God’s Kingdom as a great banquet. Many who were invited made excuses because possessions, work, and everyday concerns seemed more important. So the invitation went outward to the poor, broken, overlooked, and forgotten. The banquet was ready. The question was whether people would accept the invitation.
Message: What we believe shapes how we behave. What we value determines the direction in which we walk. Jesus offers us a different set of values from those that so often dominate our culture: humility instead of self-importance, service instead of status, generosity instead of self-interest, and love instead of division. And Jesus did not simply teach these values. He lived them. The Cross is the ultimate picture of self-giving love. Christ surrendered privilege, took the place of a servant, and gave Himself for us. His invitation is not merely, “Believe something about Me,” but, “Follow Me.” Yet, like the guests in Jesus’ parable, we can make excuses. We become preoccupied with possessions, responsibilities, politics, comfort, and control. Meanwhile, Christ keeps saying, “Come. The banquet is ready.” Perhaps that is an important word for Election Day. Our hope can never finally rest in a candidate, political party, government, economic system, or cultural movement. Christians belong first to Jesus Christ. Before we are voters, Republicans, Democrats, conservatives, liberals, or independents, we are followers of Jesus. And following Him means allowing His values to become ours.
And So, as we vote and then watch the results come in, perhaps the most important question is not simply, “Who won?” For if we voted for Jesus we have already won. It is, “Which values will govern my heart tomorrow?” Will we feast on anger, fear, pride, resentment, and division? Or will we feast on humility, gratitude, responsibility, compassion, service, wisdom, truth, peace, and love? Our values are like a compass. They shape our decisions, our relationships, and ultimately the people we become. But Christians have something greater than a list of values. We have Christ. Jesus is the cornerstone beneath every other value we hold. We are called to have His mind, reflect His character, love our neighbors, serve others, and seek God’s Kingdom together. The invitation to God’s banquet still stands. Come. Stop making excuses. Take your place at the table. Feast on the life of Christ. And then carry His love into a divided world.
Pray that we value Jesus above political power. Pray that we have the mind of Christ. Pray that humility replaces pride, compassion replaces contempt, and love overcomes division. Pray that we stop making excuses and accept Christ’s invitation to His banquet. Pray that God gives us wisdom in our decisions, grace toward those who disagree with us, and compassion for those who are hurting. Pray that the Holy Spirit transforms our minds and teaches us responsibility, service, gratitude, peace, and truth. Pray that whatever happens in an election, we remember who ultimately sits upon the throne. And pray that together we might glorify God through the way we love one another.
Friends, governments will change and elections will come and go. But Jesus Christ remains Lord. May He always be the cornerstone of what we value and the One upon whom we feast.
Blessings,
John Lawson
