When you wake up in the middle of the night worried about how to cast a ballot you don’t have in a country you don’t live in you don’t have a problem; you have motivation to change.

There’s being a responsible citizen and there’s being an over-responsible citizen. As I child I felt like I carried responsibility for financial fiascos and relationship problems that were way out of my purview. I became hyper-vigilant – in other words fearful. I have been on a journey to freedom from being motivated by that kind of fear.

This week is a reminder that I have a way to go yet.

I see what’s happening here as people (like me) are desperate to have some sort of control over a situation that appears to be  rapidly spiraling out of control. It reminds me of a loud argument between angry grown-ups going on in another room. The outcome of this argument could greatly affect the lives of  everyone around them, but the grown-ups are not listening to anyone else. They are only reacting to each other.

It took a while but I have I learned that I am not helpless in situations like this. I can talk to God and know that even if people in positions of authority are not there for me, or even remember that I exist, He notices. He cares. He promises he will never stop loving. He says he will never leave or forsake me. He lets me rest on his lap and put my head on his chest and go to sleep in his arms with calm assurance that He is in charge.

The fear that comes in the night is not from him. He gives songs of joy in the night. He gives peace that is hard to understand because it is not subject to manipulation by people with agendas.

He’s not worried. Nations make their plans. God laughs.

You are wondering: What has provoked the nations to embrace anger and chaos?
Why are the people making plans to pursue their own vacant and empty greatness?
Leaders of nations stand united;
rulers put their heads together,
plotting against the Eternal One and His Anointed King, trying to figure out how they can throw off the gentle reign of God’s love,
step out from under the restrictions of His claims to advance their own schemes.

At first, the Power of heaven laughs at their silliness.
The Eternal mocks their ignorant selfishness.
But His laughter turns to rage, and He rebukes them.
As God displays His righteous anger, they begin to know the meaning of fear. He says,
“I am the One who appointed My king who reigns from Zion, My mount of holiness.
He is the one in charge.”

But blessings await all who trust in Him.
They will find God a gentle refuge. (from Psalm 2: 1-7 The Voice)

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