It’s going to be a long year, so…….

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 ESV

            The early signs of 2024 seem to indicate this is going to be a very long year here in the United States. We have a Presidential election, and the news media is already taking sides. Each network has their bias and will state it loud and clear throughout the year. This may turn out to the most negative campaigning for the White House in the history of the United States. Not only do we have the news networks making noise, but social media out does the major networks by a landslide (no pun intended). Reading posts we find disturbing from people we know and respect, even from friends, will put us in an awkward position of how to respond, or even if we should. Probably we shouldn’t respond, but then again, some things just cannot be ignored, like the truth.

            Paul writing in the book of Colossians two thousand years ago gives us good advice even for today, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Col. 3:12 ESV) There are hard questions to be asked and answered this year. Many concerns need to be addressed for the safety and moral compass of the United States going forward in the future. The next president is going to have all those issues before them, whoever they may be. No doubt, a deep divide exists as to who is best qualified for the job, and how they will govern for the betterment of the nation as a whole and for the people. So, there will be a lot of loud, partisan discussion from both sides.

            As Christians we are to declare the truth, but more specifically the truth of the gospel. People need to come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. The only hope America has is Jesus. 2024 has all the markings of becoming a turbulent year. But the negative, harsh, and hateful rhetoric of this historic year can be tamed down effectively and efficiently as Paul points out by God’s chosen ones. May we who are believers in Christ start now and ‘put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience’ with those we encounter this year. Let the light of Christ be visible for all to see. It’s going to be a long year!