Be Bold, Be Brave

stanton-purple
Eleven years ago, my friend Brandi Swindell lost her election for City Council in Boise. She faced a tough election and was hit with both barrels and attacked by vile people. She got volunteers who worked hard for her with great determination. She lost by a lot more than I would have imagined. It was depressing. Her enemies celebrated and mocked. But God…

God had just begun to work in her life. She founded Stanton Health Care in Boise and that ministry touches the lives and hearts of women and their children throughout the Treasure Valley. Stanton Boise moved its office next door to Boise’s Planned Parenthood and is in the progress of building a life-affirming clinic in Meridian. They are, to borrow a phrase from Steve Camp, “lighting their candles on the front porch of Hell.” And, not only that, there are Stanton clinics being established around the world through God working through his people.

I wasn’t able to attend the Tenth Stanton gala this Friday, but I saw pictures and I thought of that November so many years ago and the amazing faithfulness of God. Some of my friends are running for office and some will lose. And there is the big election. [Note from Andrea: which this blog will not discuss at any length aside from spiritual concerns it raises.]

Elections have consequences, let there be no doubt of that. However, win or lose, God is not done with us. And no matter how bad the election results are, they cannot stop the goodness of God, the work he is doing through his people, and the common grace He gives to all mankind. The worst of tyrants who have tried have only been short lived like an eclipse that blocks the sun for but a moment before the the light begins to break through.

No matter how disheartening an election’s results might be, take heart that God is at work in the world. No matter the disappointment for us personally or for our countries, we should remember the words of the Prophet Jeremiah who, in the midst of the destroyed City of Jerusalem, wrote, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.”

Whatever happens this Election Day be assured that the plans and purposes of God will prevail in your life and for the nation.

[tweetthis]Whatever today holds, be assured the plans and purposes of God will prevail in your life.[/tweetthis]

On a hopefully somewhat light-hearted note, consider this advice from the British franchise Doctor Who’s lead role, the Twelth Doctor:
necessaryevil[tweetthis]”At least try to do better than ‘evil.'” –The twelfth Doctor pic.twitter.com/zgbMeA6Fr5 [/tweetthis]