I was always taught that we aren’t supposed to wish away time.
But, in all honesty, I’ve been wishing away October 2020.
I’m already constantly using the mute button on my television remote. My next move is the off button.
I don’t write a political persuasion blog. Sometimes I want to. I have strong values and opinions. I will stand in a long line, if necessary, to ensure my vote counts.
But, this morning as I type, I have a singular goal for October 2020, and it is simple: “Help me, Lord, to not lose sight of your priorities.”
An October example
I watched Amy Coney Barrett as she was introduced to the world this past weekend. It occurred to me that, in an ocean of vitriol, she is quietly confident. Amidst the shouts of right and wrong, she speaks of duty. Surrounded by words of slander, she allows her life to be her defense. She doesn’t just believe her opinions; she lives them.
If Christians will pay attention to her, we will have an example for our own lives this October. I’m praying that I will stand with the same confidence, security, and steadfast resolve I see exhibited in her life. I pray that she will continue to set that example for our country. It’s hard to ignore, and it’s difficult to dispute.
We shouldn’t be bothered by what isn’t true. Our lives should be consumed by anything that is truth.
How like God to quietly orchestrate an October 2020 example for our country. Amy Coney Barrett is not an October surprise. She is an October example.
Our instructions are clear
Pay attention to the things that only God can bring about. God is working in our world and has called us to work with him. Our perspective from Scripture is clear: “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).
Quiet confidence is a powerful witness, especially for October 2020. Our future doesn’t depend on a presidential election—although I believe we all have a responsibility to vote. Our eternal reward, and very likely the eternal security of others, will depend on how we choose to live in the present.
What do you want people to remember about the way you lived your life and spoke your opinions during October 2020?
People will remember.
That is what will matter in October 2021.
Our highest priority is our great privilege
Will we have earned the right to share our faith next year with the people we have shared our political opinions with this October?
The letters of 1 and 2 Peter are called General Epistles. Peter wrote those letters at the end of his life, and they were to be passed around and read to a number of churches. So he wrote those letters with thoughts that would apply to every Christian, for all time. That is why his words have always provided powerful direction and straightforward truth. We call his letters Scripture.
Peter wrote a message for our October 2020. This verse is one of the reasons I chose to teach his letters this year. It wasn’t difficult to know that this fall would be a difficult season for all of us to maintain our witness. It is a tough month to camp on the high road.
Peter’s advice to the first-century church is ours for October 2020: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness” (2 Peter 1:5–6).
All of us will be able to share our political opinions this month. Let’s realize that our quiet confidence in the direction of our world isn’t founded on a political candidate. Our highest confidence is in the power and authority of God. Our privilege isn’t just the freedom we celebrate as Americans; it is the freedom we have in Christ.
Quiet confidence will shout God’s truth
I watched Amy Coney Barrett and saw the quiet confidence of a woman who knows Christ and trusts Christ. I saw her as an example for my own witness this October. I am going to pray that she will be strengthened in the power of God’s Holy Spirit. My prayer is not only for her political witness. It is for the witness she is positioned to be for God this month and in the years ahead.
I pay attention to the things that only God can orchestrate. There is a woman who professes her faith who will need great strength to live her faith in October 2020. What she says and how she says it will be taped, run as news, and will remain her witness for many years to come.
As a Christian, I feel called to pray for her. And I feel called to pray for my own witness this month. I don’t want my politics to overshadow my privilege and priority to share God’s word with others.
A verse for October 2020
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
I know my mouth will not belong to God unless I trust it to him. Anyone who knows me knows I have my opinions.
But what I need to protect is the ability to speak God’s truth.
Let’s pray for Amy Coney Barrett and for ourselves.
Help us, Lord, to trust your righteous right hand to be our strength and to know that your Word is the truth our world ultimately needs. May we not be dismayed by our culture but strengthened by our faith. May our example bring you glory. In Jesus’ name, and for his sake, we pray. Amen.
P.S. Have you signed up for my bible study, Foundations of Faith, yet? It’s not too late, we just released lesson 3!
Visit https://www.janetdenisonbiblestudy.com/ to sign up for this study, if you’ve already signed up you can login and access the newest video too.