Weary of Words, But Full of Hope Facing Tuesday

Our ears are full of words.

Opinions, prophecies, warnings, and editorials deluge us as if, in 2020, all the water we’ve thirsted to receive has been woven into words that neither replenish our wells nor quench our thirst for truth.

And I know I’ve tarried to write a post but that is why. We’re word heavy. Our souls are stooped beneath the burden of the modern prophets and their utterings. I dare not add to the noise.

All these words have been aimed at this week like a siege of flaming arrows. Our country is on fire and we grope our way through the smoke. Our throats ache and our voices croak seeking relief that we know may not arrive on Tuesday.

When we emerge from this election, no matter who sits in that office, we must forge on with the work of the Body of Christ. No matter who wins, we know our times are in God’s hands and so, in this pause before someone must concede, I wonder if we can take something from this that will draw us nearer to God.

Not a warning. Not a prophecy. Not a prediction nor a panacea. Just a drop of cool truth to moisten our hearts and remind us there is a source of living water.

I’ve been reacquainting myself with Jesus by re-reading the gospel of Luke and I’m struck by God’s zealous desire to engage our hearts in this relationship with Him. He seeks more than duty-bound obedience, more than simple attendance, more than words.

That’s something I truly understand after this election season. I’m keenly aware that every politician, even the ones I believe in, often spoke words they imagined I wanted to hear simply to gain my vote.  They have teams of advisors, consultants, pollsters, and speech writers all dedicated to crafting the message I want to hear.

Most of it isn’t real. Even from the honest ones. Much of it is well-intended. Some of it is not.

But what’s transparently true is that most politicians draw near to me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but their hearts don’t even know me – never mind care to be with me. And the false promises and praise are more distasteful than those who simply truthfully tell me they operate from a different worldview than I do.

And what I hear from Jesus as He pleads with the Pharisees through parables even children could understand, is that He desires, not our lip service, but our hearts.

From Genesis to Revelation and every book in between, God, our Father and Creator, calls to us and asks for everything – our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths. He won’t settle for empty words, for worship we phone in, for foot-dragging obedience, for an appearance of faith, or for half-hearted discipleship.

He wants us. And He died to make it possible for us to draw near to Him, so we dare not take that for granted.

And having dragged our souls through this season of pandemic and protests and polemics and politicians, now limping into a new chapter, whatever it may be, we can understand the weariness of God’s heart at hearing words designed to win His vote spoken by people whose hearts are devoted to their own gain.

Hear Him describe this in Isaiah 29 and ask yourself, don’t I know Him just a little better now?

We have every hope because of Christ that we can offer our whole hearts to God. And as we do, our words and actions align rightly with Jesus so that all we have to offer Him, and others, flows from a cleansed heart guarded by the breastplate of His righteousness.

When we speak, others can trust what we say.

When we serve, we serve from a heart of love, not for selfish gain.

When we worship, it flows from within and isn’t about a performance but about the response of a soul who sees her God, His character, and His love and humbly receives all He is and offers back all she has.

Whatever comes beyond Tuesday, He has given us everything we need for life and godliness in Jesus Christ.

Not to win His vote for our prayers but simply in response to the love He offers freely, can’t we draw near to Him with our whole hearts?

Then, we will face this next chapter not with hearts of stone but with hearts of flesh, cleansed in the Living Water and burning within us with the eternal fire of His Holy Spirit.

Father God, I am deeply grateful that You see me and desire a real relationship with me. I’m so glad You won’t settle for hearing me say words You want to hear or just showing up out of duty or offering You words designed to delight You that aren’t backed up by my inner being. I’ve seen enough of that during this election – aimed at me – and so I understand why You find it so distasteful. Thank you that because of Jesus, I have hope of transformation. Remove my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh, a heart that beats for You alone, a heart that flows with the blood of Jesus, a heart burning for You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Weary of Words, but Full of Hope Facing Tuesday https://t.co/mPwqWe4dBI #Election2020 #Jesus

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) November 2, 2020

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