Will You Be OK?
9 October 2024
An old story involving a Chinese farmer is a favorite of most preachers. Have you heard it?
A farmer and his son had a beloved horse who helped the family earn a living. One day, the horse ran away and their neighbors exclaimed, “Your horse ran away, what terrible luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
A few days later, the horse returned home, leading a few wild horses back to the farm as well. The neighbors shouted out, “Your horse has returned, and brought several horses home with him. What great luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
Later that week, the farmer’s son was trying to break one of the horses and she threw him to the ground, breaking his leg. The neighbors cried, “Your son broke his leg, what terrible luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
A few weeks later, soldiers from the national army marched through town, recruiting all boys for the army. They did not take the farmer’s son, because he had a broken leg. The neighbors shouted, “Your boy is spared, what tremendous luck!” To which the farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
I share this fable because, in less than four weeks, voters go to the polls to elect our next president and other key governmental leaders. According to Pew Research Center’s last survey, Republicans and Democrats both make up a percentage in the mid-forties of ELCA Lutherans, with ten percent sharing no preference. So, if COS is a typical ELCA congregation, we’ll probably split down the middle in terms of our voting choices.
Since America is so passionate and even vehement about the candidates these days, I’m worried about half of you after the election. Yes, half of you will be happy that your candidates won. But the other half might be deeply despondent. Will you be OK if your candidate loses?
The commercials bombarding the airwaves these days depict a post-election apocalypse, it seems sometimes if the wrong candidate wins. Yes, the prevailing presidential candidate will strive to enact policies with which we might strongly disagree. Yes, there are real consequences. But, in encouragement and hope, let me remind you of the Chinese farmer fable. Citizens were convinced that certain outcomes of fortune or tragedy would unfold. But often, they did not come to pass. The twists and turns of life goofed up the people’s prognostications. The failures—and even successes—which we’re so convinced will transpire, often hit a twist or turn.
The same is true, perhaps, for the upcoming election results. Despite our vehemence over the right candidate, if our choice wins, he or she will not solve all our nation’s problems. If our choice loses, our country will not fall apart. For our country is all in this together. It’s the decisions, commitments, attitudes, and efforts of all of us that determine the health or sickness of our future. Not just one leader. The sun will still shine, even after the worst of storms. We can still make our schools and places of business effective and kind cultures. We still can show love in action within our families and at church to make daily life joyful and satisfying.
So, my friends, as we move forward to this fraught election that is bringing so many so much anxiety, let’s be of good cheer and faith. Amid our hopes, let’s also remember our savior’s advice: we are not to worry. (See Jesus’ words from Matthew 6 below). Whoever is elected, we still sing with gusto that wonderful hymn, “This is My Father’s World.” Not any one politician’s or political parties. Or as another beloved song reminds us, our loving Father has the whole world in his loving hands! And always will. Therefore, you—and all of us—will be OK! 😀
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz
Let us pray: Thanks for the gift we enjoy in our country of choosing our own leaders. Be with our country in our upcoming election. Help us acknowledge that our personal hopes might differ from friends and family, and be respectful of that difference. While we know elections have consequences, guide our hearts and minds to be free of fear that can lead to dangerous behavior. Give us confidence that you, ultimately, hold each day. That we will be more than OK in your bond and community of grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Save the Date:
Come One, Come All!! The Palmetto Road Family Octoberfest is taking place on Saturday, October 19, from 4-7 pm at 411 Palmetto Road in Tyrone. Think outdoor music festival, old-fashioned picnic on the grounds, small night market, and Octoberfest. There will be a Kidzone, hot dogs AND BRATWURST, beer and wine, arts and crafts, and live music!
The Kidzone will have an inflatable and all kinds of fun activities for kids, including a scavenger hunt, fall crafts, and a hayride!!
Laura Musil, one of our own very talented COS artists, has rounded up a stable of other folks who have already been working on their wares – handmade cards and paper crafts, yummy jams and sauces, jewelry, and hand-carved ornaments are just some of the things they’ll be offering.
Our Palmetto Road property has never looked better! Every year brings incredible improvements. The new sidewalks make getting around easy for everyone and the beautiful, brand new bathrooms are fully functional!
We hope you’ll come with your entire family for a fabulous time outdoors with your COS friends! And we certainly hope you’ll bring other friends along as we enjoy each other and God’s gorgeous creation through this celebration. All 4-legged friends must be on a leash.
Bring a chair or a blanket, grab a BRAT and a beer, check out the arts and crafts, take a ride on a paddleboat, or just sit under the shade at this gorgeous property to enjoy our brilliant Christ Our Shepherd musicians. Either way, you’ll be glad you did!