election day perspective

I wanted to share with you some wise words from a dear friend, Michael Bruce. He wrote the following before election day 2008. I think today, it's as poignant as ever.

Where does our hope come from?

Tomorrow is a big day. Tomorrow, the American voters will head to the ballot box and make a choice. America will pick between two flawed human beings to lead our great country for the next four years. Irrespective of the result, Wednesday morning roughly half of America will awake hopeful in the future whereas the other half will hang their heads in disdain hoping not too much damage can be done in four years. This stark contrast got me thinking. Where does our hope come from?

Is our hope in the world system of state governance? Can selfish, fallen, limited humans deliver on their promised vision of tomorrow? Can the state fix the brokenness we see all around us? Can eloquent, well-intentioned politicians transform greed into generosity? Can checks and balances eliminate corrupt hearts? Can the rule of law instill righteousness? Can more jobs bring satisfaction? Can prosperity deliver happiness? How about joy? Can expanded health care conquer death? Will the perfect foreign policy guarantee world peace? Can freedom ensure love?

I believe the answer to all of the above is "no." And yet, our hearts yearn for kept promises, healing, generosity, integrity, righteousness, satisfaction, happiness, joy, life, peace and love.

History teaches us that humans and human systems are limited to exerting influence over external behaviors. The law can encourage a husband to stay with his wife, but the law can't force a husband to love his wife. The law can harness greed through capitalism, but it can't instill a generous spirit. The law can punish injustice, but it can't guarantee justice.

Our hearts all yearn for a better tomorrow, but hope is not simply wishful thinking. Hope is "confident expectation." The beauty of the vision does not instill confidence. Confidence is rooted in the power and virtue of the benefactor. Only one person has over possessed the power to transform our wishes into confident expectation. Only one person perfectly walked his talk. Only one person offers fundamental renewal of the broken and bruised human heart. Only one person conquered death. Only Jesus can deliver the "life more abundantly."