How to Spend Election Day (and maybe the days after…)

Instead of being glued to the TV or social media watching election results, let me suggest a few things you can do today (and this week):

1. Go for a walk. I know, it’s brisk out (at least here in Maryland), so bundle up. Feel the cold on your face. Breathe in the air. You’re alive. What a gift. Take in the changing of seasons. Marvel at the bursts of color on those last stubborn trees. Observe the half-naked ones clinging to their last covering of leaves. Remember they will be covered in greenery again in a few months. God is over the seasons. While the world around us changes, he is unchanging. 
2. Create something. So many people are going to spend the day consuming the latest news. Create > consume. When we create, we bring order to the world around us. We make something of it. Cook a meal. Bake something sweet for a neighbor. Do an art project. Write a poem. Pick up the instrument you haven’t played in a while. Rake some leaves. Jump in the pile. Make the best pillow/sofa fort you’ve ever seen. Get creative, and defy the chaos. In fact, take a picture of whatever you create, and post it #defythechaos!  
3. Pray with others. We’re in the last week of a prayer campaign called Ignite at our church. Join a noon prayer call, even if it’s only for part of it. Refocusing on the presence of God in the middle of the day has a way of centering us and refilling us with hope. It reminds us that we’re not alone in the work of fixing our eyes on Jesus. You can join a prayer call here.
4. Turn the TV off. Don’t keep the TV running all day. It’ll just fill you with anxiety. Be intentional about when you’ll have it on, then turn it off. Don’t let the media be the loudest voice today. God will actually meet you in the silence.
5. Live your life. All around you today, there are people who need you to demonstrate the steadiness that comes from the steadfast love of the Lord. Text someone just to see how they’re doing. Serve somebody. Resolve today to demonstrate to people that your hope is the One who is not up for election…ever.
6. Go to bed. We don’t know when results will come in. Don’t stay up until the watches of the night. Whether you find out at 3 am or at 9 am won’t change the results nor will it alter your destiny. You can entrust yourself and this world to our heavenly Father. Get the rest you need tonight so you can be the light that someone else will need tomorrow.

Finally, I leave you with the reminder of a song to sing today (and really, everyday for that matter). 

My hope is found in nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!