Unshakable

Today is one week after election day in the United States.

Many are thrilled with the outcome, while millions of others are disappointed—some of them devastated. However, it’s worth noting that some of the ones celebrating this election were crushed in despair by the outcome four years ago. 

Disappointment. Devastation. Despair. 

Both Republicans and Democrats are guilty of having a fatalistic mentality when their candidates lose. We all have this tendency to be overcome by a sense of foreboding, bracing ourselves for what we believe to be the worst possible scenario under a new administration. Republicans react this way when a Democrat wins, and Democrats react this way when a Republican wins.

Just to be clear, I am making this observation as someone who has worked in politics and believes it’s important to be an active participant in the political process. Before you give me the lecture on how important this election is, I’ll remind you that I’ve worked on a presidential campaign, served on the staff of a U.S. Congressman, and spent time helping many others running for office. 

But far too many people have made politics their religion. This myopic focus on politics causes some to stake so much on it that when it doesn’t go their way, they fall apart. Their hope evaporates, and their happiness erodes. 

C.S. Lewis wisely said,

 

In many ways, 2020 has exposed this tendency in all of us. Maybe it’s not politics for you, but it’s something else you’ve hitched your happiness to that can be taken away from you.

People who have placed their identities in their jobs have lost them.
People who have rested on the stability of their assets have seen them erode.
People who have found satisfaction in their spouses felt the stresses of 2020 threaten to break them apart.
People who found joy in their social calendars saw them obliterated.
People who found security in their health felt it evaporate in the face of a new disease.

Whether it’s an election, a relationship, a job, a status, an economic state, or even freedom itself, we should not place our hope in things that can be taken away from us. It is like trying to build a house on shifting sand. 

Ultimately, this is not a post about politics or an election result. Moreso, it’s a reminder to me, and to each of us, to audit the things we stake our lives on. Don’t misunderstand me; these things—an election, our relationships, our jobs, our economic situations—are important. But they can’t be the fixture of our hope, our faith, and our trust. Why? Because they are all things that can change. So then where do we place our hope?

For me, it’s my faith. If everything in my life falls apart, this is one thing I can count on that will not change. My challenge for you today is to make sure you’re placing your faith, hope, and trust in something that will not disappoint you. 

I believe everyone needs to be able to answer this question:

What is something that you can stake your life on that will never change?