Mobilization: Four Steps to Come Together

The election has come and gone. On Monday, before the voting started, I posted my thoughts regarding this election. Regardless of the outcome, God is sovereign over the leaders of all nations. Regardless of the outcome, the man chosen by God will lead this nation through the next four years.

Now it is three days later; we counted the votes and we made a decision as a people. Yet, the results shock many, leaving them scared of the implications of this choice.

Many followers of Christ have a sense about the implications of this election. It is only a sense, an internal prodding if you will, but it is real nonetheless. As my friend, Torry Martin, posted on Facebook, “Can’t help thinking that if Obama wins, America will go on, but not the way you know it…and not for long.” And if what we sense is true, then we need to be ready. Those within the American church need to get over themselves and step up to the plate. God called us to this moment; He will guide us through it. However, He does expect a few things on our part; things we should have been doing all along and yet many of us have failed at one, two, or all.

We have to pray.

We have to be “faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Perhaps I list this first as it is my highest area of conviction right now. A few months ago, Grow Barefoot’s monthly theme on Facebook was prayer. By the end of the month I learned three things about prayer.

1. All believers need to pray.
2. Believers need to pray about everything and for everyone.
3. Believers need to pray all the time.

The conviction of that month led to a new study on prayer. I’m barely into it but I hope to have more to share in the next few months.

Know the Word.

Do you know what God’s Word actually says about persecution? Do you know what it really says about how God will provide for all our needs? God wants us to know these truths and others. Yet many never study His Word even though “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us” (2 Peter 1:3).

A few years ago, this point led me to start studying twelve truths God wants us to all know. Today, I am finishing up a book on these truths and I’m praying for God’s direction in either electronic or traditional publishing. Again, I hope to have that available to you soon.

(Update 01/07/14 - It's now available! Learn more here: Everything We Need: God's Path to Know Him Better)

Serve others.

When all is said and done, God will not consider what we did to take care of ourselves. Since the time Jesus walked on earth, God’s call is to put others first. Our example is Christ who “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:6-7).

No fear.

Jesus knew things wouldn’t be easy. He left us with many comforting words. Among them, during His last hours before His crucifixion, He said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

I have complete faith that President Obama won the election because God chose Him for this moment. I’m not sure what that means for the future of our nation as many of his policies are contrary to God’s Word and conventional wisdom. I do sense it’s going to get worse before it gets better and these four things will be critical.

As part of his concession speech, Romney said, “Paul and I have left everything on the field.” In other words, they gave the election all they had and held nothing back. It’s a great expression, whether used in athletics or politics. For me, I’ve decided to apply it spiritually. I don’t want to look back at some point and think I could have done more, given more, said more, or written more. I plan to look back and say I left everything on the field.