make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
    let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
    for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

Isaiah 12:4-6

She handed me the card to activate the voting machine and before I even knew what was happening, quick tears came out of nowhere and snuck out of the corners of my eyes.

That poor, sweet poll worker. I really am ok, I promise.

Right in the middle of that quiet poll center – in that sterile room filled with machines lined up perfectly in a row and a crowd full of silent people with the weight of the world written all over their faces – I wanted to tell her everything that was on my heart. I wanted her to know that these were not tears of anxiousness or fear. Oh, no. In a rather sudden wave of emotions (that surprised even me), these were tears of overwhelming gratitude and hope; tears that held a greater message that I long for this nation – the world – to hear.

I made my way to an open machine and slid the activation card into the designated slot. But before I could bring my finger to touch the screen, I had something to say and it couldn’t wait any longer. And so I bowed my head right then and there and silently let it all come spilling out as the tears flowed…

For those of us who live in America, we wake up today with the news of a new President-elect who will lead our nation for the next four years. And for those of us who have been forever changed by the King of glory – this hope as an anchor for our souls – we have the most incredible opportunity to love and shine like never before.

So what words will you say today?

Will you speak of worry and despair?

Or with gratitude as the overflow of your heart, will you say that we can trust in this hope? Claim victory in this hope. Be satisfied in this hope. With love, compassion, kindness, and thankfulness on our lips, we can proclaim the hope of Jesus with fresh confidence and zeal to the world around us.

“We ought not to worship God in a half-hearted sort of way; as if it were now our duty to bless God, but we felt it to be a weary business, and we would get it through as quickly as we could, and have done with it; and the sooner the better. No, no; ‘All that is within me, bless his holy name.‘ Come, my heart, wake up, and summon all the powers which wait upon thee! Mechanical worship is easy, but worthless. Come rouse yourself, my brother! Rouse thyself, O my own soul!” – Spurgeon