Polls that Really Matter

I have had the privilege of witnessing three presidential elections while living in the USA. Needless to say, none have been more intriguing than those of 2008. These elections are historical. There are currently three viable candidates: a war hero at 72 (never stop dreaming); the first woman candidate; and the first African America male to get this far in the race. Intriguing indeed.

One thing that has also intrigued me are the polling statistics. Each week the polls are changing, favoring one candidate over the other. The Republican Party already has their presumptive nominee, while the Democratic Party is still battling it out between Senators' Clinton and Obama. Since the Democratic Party is yet to have their presumptive nominee, each candidate is using the polling data to make their case of electability. The interesting thing though about these polls is that the change based on what the candidates or their surrogates have said. What is even more interesting is this, depending on which network one gets their information from, the polling statistics are all different. Some show McCain defeating Clinton. Some Show Clinton defeating McCain. Some show Obama defeating McCain. Still, some show McCain defeating Obama. All these polls are released weekly…and one is left to wonder which polls to believe…if each network claims its accuracy.

There are those who, regardless of what their candidate says or what the polls are reflecting, will stand by them…even if the candidates says the moon is green, when its not. They are loyalists to the core. And then there are those people who are still on the fence trying to decide who they will vote for, depending on how the candidates fair during the week…sometimes a dangerous way of making a decision. As I have intently observed these elections, I have realized that, indeed, it takes guts to not be swayed by polls.

In as much as we have been paying attention to the polls and the candidates, there is a poll and its candidate who is forever established, regardless of what we feel, how we feel, or what the candidate says. He will not have to concede a point. He will not have to denounce or reject a statement or an endorsement. He will never flip flop on a decision. He is not disingenuous. He does not mis-speak. He does not get his "facts" wrong. He is the living God.

Sometimes I believe we approach God the way we are approaching these elections-What will He say to please me so that I can cast my vote for Him? What will He do so that I can vote for Him? Does He have His facts right? Will He change His mind? Can I trust Him? Maybe I will trust Him next week when He blesses me...maybe I will make my decision then!

Here is a reality though about this candidate and His Polls:

What He has said has been established since time immemorial. He does not have to lure us to be impressed. He is who He says He is, whether we agree with Him or not. His polling stats on this record are at an alarming 100 points margin of victory.

He does not have to retract His words, apologize for what He says. His word is forever established in the heavens. His polling stats on this record are also at an alarming 100 points margin of victory:
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Heb 4:12-13)

His endorsements come from Himself because He is the creator of the universe. He does not have to apologize to anyone for His own endorsements. His polling stats on this record are at an alarming 100 points margin of victory. “I am who I say I am” (Ex 3:14)

He is not losing or winning by double digits. He is forever established as the winner, at triple digits…100 points:
“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." (I Tim 6: 15-17)

When our hearts are fickle, turned to and from based on the voices we hear in this political season, His voice is constant; His heart towards us is not fickle. He understands we are human, so when we are faithless, He remains faithful. Need I say an alarming 100 points margin of victory on this too?

His campaign team consists of three total (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). They are all about seeing that no one should perish, but that all should come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The only campaign God is out to destroy is the campaign of Satan, his demons, and his works. These works include unforgiveness, worry, lies, adultery, envy, hatred, and prejudice-in short sin and its effects. God has a support staff to combat Satan’s campaign. And who is this support staff on this campaign trail? We the church, the body of Christ!! It is our responsibility to take orders from the Chief Campaigner and His strategist to defeat Satan.

If the church can campaign against the works of Satan and take a stand the way these candidates are campaigning against each other to be in office, this would be a different world!!

Yes, this election year is intriguing, but whatever the outcome, whoever the nominee, one thing can be certain; the candidates will never be the true saviors of the world. There is only one savior and that is Jesus Christ. They will never fulfill all the promises they make to the people listening to them. There is only one God who can fulfill His promises to His people. "He watches over His word to fulfill it," not man's words.

The polls will continue to change between now and the general elections, until we have the next President of the United States of America. But there is a candidate whose polls will never change. He is always in office. He does not have to be re-elected. He does not have to raise money to remain in the race. His polling stats on this record are at an alarming 100 points margin of victory. He is God!

I suggest these are the poll numbers we seriously consider as we journey on the stage called life.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (I Cor 15:58)

Finding Your Signal

Shrine Mont Hotel, located in Orkney Springs, Virginia, in the Shenandoah valley, is a perfect get away; a beautiful, tranquil place, surrounded by majestic mountains. You hear the birds singing; you feel the soft wind blowing across your face; you see the flowers blooming on the almost 1000 acres of land in the Spring; the grass is deep green, healthy and welcoming to sit on, relax, and have a picnic. The water creeks surrounding the property make it all the more gorgeous. A great hide away.

With all its beauty, tranquility, majestic mountains, and the well-maintained lawn, Shrine Mont can frustrate the person who is dependent on a cell phone. I have seen countless times, yours truly included, when students who come here for the purposes of a retreat, have tried to make calls to their families while on the Shrine Mont property, but to no avail. One will either have to walk or drive 2 miles to the Bryce Resort to get a signal or hike up a mountain, or the outdoor cathedral, located on an incline, a 5 minute walk, to get a signal. What is even more interesting is this: If you leave your cell phone on, the battery drains so quickly because the phone is searching for a network. It takes about three days for my phone to have a low battery, with my going back and forth texting or talking. Shrine Mont shatters the record. My battery can drain within two hours without texting or talking, but because the phone is working so hard trying to find a network.

The cell phone DNA is such that it only operates in conjunction with a network company. These networks insure that there are network towers to transmit signals all across the nation in order for the phones to be functional. Without the networks and towers in place, we can forgo the concept of cell phones. Even the most sophisticated, high-tech cell phones will not work in a place like Shrine Mont, unless you leave the premises and find yourself a location that can pick up a signal from nearby towers.

When I think about finding our networks and towers, I am reminded of our creator, God the father. In Genesis 1: 26, 27, God declares:

“Let us make man in our own image, according to our likeness. God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

So here is God, as a manufacturer, implanting the DNA in humanity that will allow them to function at their highest level. The DNA is such that humanity will have to be in close proximity to the network (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). The towers (abiding presence) are around us as we travel on this journey called life. The network does not change in the Kingdom, but the network has provided towers on the highways and byways to be in constant communication, as we stay connected to the network.

The disconnect comes into play when we leave the network and there are no towers in sight to transmit the much needed signal to communicate. When that happens, we then begin to work in overdrive because we are now disconnected from lines, wires, specs, in short, our kingdom DNA that make us function. We drain easily and eventually burn out. We can recharge our batteries (short lived “revival”), but for as long as we are not within the network limits and its towers, the cycle will continue. What’s the point of even charging the phone if one knows they will not even get a signal for as long as they choose to stay in the environment that does not provide the network?

What disconnects us from the heavenly network? Could it be that what we watch or listen to is cutting us off from our network? Could it be that where we are working is not the place where God would want to work, and the more we fight to stay there, the more we are in overdrive and draining so quickly? Could it be that the relationships we are in are draining us because they are cutting us from our kingdom network? Could it be that it is just us? No one to blame, no work to blame, but us? Because life has dealt us with so many disappointments that we have consciously chosen not to stay connected to the network because we felt let down so many times and now we question why we have to trust a God who has disappointed us? Not a bad reason not to trust God and stay connected to His network. I wish I could leave it at that, but I cannot.

In John 10:10, Jesus states, “The thief comes ONLY to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

The Psalmist declares in chapter 138:8, “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of your hands.”

This communication comes from the network of heaven. He knows and He understands. When we feel let down, when those relationships are draining, when life seems unfair, the heavenly network understands. But they are also encouraging us to believe in them as they declare, “I will never leave you nor forsake” (though we feel forsaken). “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you (even when we do not feel like casting our cares on Him). “I know the plans I have for you” (even when we think God has missed it all). He is not afraid of where we are because He understands; He created us and nothing can faze Him.

We cannot afford to lose our signal with our heavenly network; not when the world is screaming a different gospel, a different lifestyle, and a different way of communication. It is imperative to stay connected to Him because He has the words of life. The SIGNAL.

How do we stay connected to our heavenly network for that special signal. It’s simple-abiding in His word even when we do not feel like it. Praying even when we feel like God is not paying attention. Not forsaking the meeting of believers so that we can be encouraged always.

Shrine Mont, with all its beauty can be frustrating to a cell phone user. Much frustration, with detrimental eternal consequences is not finding that signal with God.

It is always a joy to see the students drive down to the resort, or hike up the mountain to try and find that signal and come back beaming because they were able to connect with their loved ones. I can only imagine what God feels like if we become intentional in seeking Him out till we find Him? A smile on His face maybe? I just wonder.