“For Jesus knew that The Father would have to treat Jesus like Barabbas in order to treat Barabbas like Jesus” – Judah Smith
It’s been three days since the United States presidential election took place. These three days have been full of cheering, crying, joy, overwhelming fear, and many voices telling me that it’s a good thing that I am not in my home country right now. Along with the rest of my community, there’s no getting on social media without hearing a negative word about our situation. I want you to know that I am not here to be negative or spread darkness in a time when light is needed. I am not here to take a side or to trash talk. I want to take you on a journey that God has brought me through in the last three days.
It fascinating being across the world at a time like this, because the whole world has their eyes on my home. I couldn’t tell you one thing about the King of Thailand before I got here. Not only that, but honestly I still couldn’t tell you (or pronounce) his name. I write this because I know that I’m not alone. Growing up in the USA, that’s just the mind set that becomes natural. If it’s not happening in our country, then it doesn’t apply to me, right? Contrary to popular belief, the rest of the world does not see it that way. Multiple voices from other countries have voiced their part to us, and I can’t go anywhere without being asked where I’m from (No one knows where Oklahoma is until I say OKC Thunder, then they freak out. Thunder up!!!!!) and then about the president. Even in Thailand, there’s no getting around who will be living in the White House very soon.
Back story:
On November 8th, I woke up in Bangkok to immediate excitement, tension, and chaos. While America was staying up late to watch, because of the time difference we got the news of Mr. Trump becoming the new president at about 3:00pm. We all grew up with the gift of the freedom to form our own opinions, so with 54 women in the same place there had to be some different stances happening. While some rejoiced, some cried. Many conversations we’re had about the next steps of our country, many contacted home, and all we’re praying that it wouldn’t cause too big of a storm in the place that we love.
I’m not here to throw my vote or what I believe on you. However, I will tell you that I was not in the greatest mood all day. I’m a person that hates tension, so the fact that everyone I love on my squad as well as in the States was surrounded by it was so frustrating. The fact is that no matter who won, the other side of the election would have been upset. Politics have a way of causing immediate tension because it’s a touchy subject. We had a few breakout sessions that were very good, but over all election day was just a bad day.
Then squad worship happened.
Kate Goeler, our squad mentor and one of the greatest people I’ve ever had the chance to meet walked in front of the 54 women of I Squad and began to speak about gossip. “I don’t gossip, do I?” I know that I’m not the only one that thought this when she began. As she continued to speak, I began to think of the conversations that had been had about our president and the people that stand with either Clinton or Trump all day. “Oh… so maybe there had been a little gossip. So what? Everyone that was talking with me was on my side about the situation anyways.” Let me tell you, God had a different opinion.
Then He decided to speak about it. I began to question God about why he would place a person that would cause so much division of our people in such a high power. After all, our Abba is for unity, not separation. If that’s God’s plan, then why is there riots, protests, and violence happening as we speak?
He began to remind me of the story of Barabbas. John 18:38 says “Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.”
Then he showed me the good news. God loves Barabbas. Not only that, but He LOVES Barabbas. This man was called nothing but a crook, a thug, and a robber. He’s the guy with nothing good affiliated with his name, and yet the people chose to save him from death instead of Jesus. The people turned down saving the perfect man. A man that only spoke and did good, a man that loved every man woman and child, and a man that was sent to the people directly from God was killed because the people wanted Barabbas alive more than they wanted Him. Why is that good? Jesus wouldn’t have saved us from our sins if the people hadn’t saved Barabbas. That’s right, Barabbas was a key part in Jesus coming to save mankind.
Now I am not comparing either presidential candidates to Barabbas or Jesus. However, I can’t help but think about and compare the fear that many were feeling at that point. Mary had to watch her own son have that chance to live and be turned down by everyone in her community. The disciples had given their lives to following Jesus, and then had to watch him be put to death because of the choice that was made. I have no doubt in my mind that there was so much fear and confusion throughout Jesus’ people. They feared not only for Him, but they feared for their own lives too. Just as there was at that point, there is fear and confusion in my generation right now. There is widespread fear of what’s to come from the choice that our country has made. My generation is not sore losers, they are genuinely scared for their lives and freedom because of their ethnicity, religion, or sexuality in a country that’s supposed to be the land of the free.
So what point am I trying to make?
As cliche as it is, God has a plan!!!! Mankind was never made to have a spirit of fear. When the Son of Man was KILLED because of the choice that the people made, that choice ended up saving the world from every sin. How crazy is that? Our crazy good Heavenly Father is not surprised by who is in office. Even better than that, he planned it. Donald Trump is the next US President. This man was created in God’s image. Our Abba LOVES him. He loves him as much as he loved Barabbas, and He loves him as much as He loves you and I. Now it’s our turn to love each other as children of God. That means loving every race, religion, sexuality, and even every presidential candidate.
