An Open Letter to the Spring Meadows Church

So, the election is over. I become somewhat of a news hound at times like this, so I was glued to the numbers last night as they flashed across FOX, MSNBC, CBS and NBC.

Here are a few facts to consider:

1. This morning (as most every morning after an election) most American’s are pleased with the outcome of the election: That’s why they call it a popular vote. President elect Barack Obama got more votes than anyone else. It was and is historic in many, many ways.

2. Most Tennesseans are not pleased with the outcome of the election, nor are most of those in Williamson County or Maury County: 69% of those in Williamson County and 60% of those in Maury County voted for Senator McCain.

3. I am nervous about what all of this means for America: I’ve searched my heart and I tell you, with perhaps more honesty than might be wise, I am ready for a black president but I am nervous about this president: It is not the color of his skin but the way he has voted morally that makes me nervous. My face flushed when in the first 30 seconds of addressing American as our president elect he felt compelled to cast a voice of support toward the sin of homosexuality. But I am always called to remember that Christianity was not birthed into a democracy and that in the most hostile of environs it has flourished.

4. We did not get to where we are as a congregation because of President Bush and we will not grow because of a Republican or a Democrat in a house on Pennsylvania Ave. We are where we are because of ONE MAN, the MAN, Jesus Christ. To Him alone belongs praise and glory.

5. I didn’t just watch the talking heads I also watched “Facebook” Status Updates: OF my 968 “Facebook Friends”, Facebook tells me 464, or roughly half have recently updated their status. The comments were almost as interesting as the reporters, in some ways more, cause I knew these folks. They ranged from the cynical “get over it people, it is what it is“, to the critical “believes the USA will only tolerate this one term“, to the comical “figures Obama is the first president.............. whose last name starts with an ‘O’“, to the compassionate “refuses to treat the new President-elect with the same disrespect as so many liberals have done with President Bush. So today, I'm praying for our new leader” to the Christian “Those in power would not have that power were it not for God. ‘Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.Honor the king.’ 1Pet2:17”. But the sad ones, to me, were the ones that did not show any faith.

6. Friends, as a church we did not get to where we are by being cautious or careful but by demonstrating radical faith in the Lord and if we ever forget that we will begin to go backward and we will cease to be pleasing to the Lord who saved us. If we live small, little lives, of limited faith we will impact no one. But I know this church, we will march forward with faith and vest for our Lord. I know we will model before our children and before this community - FAITH! We did not dream this dream, we did not hire a preacher, did not rent the hardware store, did not build this building, did not go from 45 to 400 by “seeing our way through it all”. We did it by seeing Him who is bigger and greater and calls us to walk not by sight but by faith. So, church I have faith that we will make the most of any situation that we face. We will not make our decisions or plans nor set our sights on anything other than what is true and lovely and of good report. We will not begin to walk by sight will continue to walk by faith. Always remember: “The future is as bright as the promises of God.”