I think about this often, that is, the notion that we may judge a situation, a moment in time, one particular way but then completely differently when we know more about what is actually happening around that situation or moment.  My favorite example is the scenario where you are in a small boat out in deep water.  In your boat is a bag filled with gold coins.  You would never willingly toss that bag out of the boat… unless your boat was taking on water and you needed to lighten your load.  Context matters.

Another example includes the visual of the person happily walking down the street, listening to music on headphones and enjoying a nice sunny day.  Just ahead is a gigantic pothole that won’t be seen until too late.  Context matters.

Many analysts and pundits are predicting a raucous and combative ending to this unusual campaign season.  Some are predicting a wild finish to the presidential race as states count ballots and mail ins are tabulated.  According to some, we’ll all go to bed next Tuesday night knowing who the next president will be and others are suggesting it could take days, weeks or possibly months.

Which gets me back to the person in the boat with the bag of gold coins or the one walking down the street not knowing that a major fall awaits.  Our faith in Jesus offers us the greatest context of all: eternity.  By virtue of our relationship with Jesus, our love for his father and our trust in the Advocate, we all seek to return someday to the One who created us.  If we do this right, we can run into those loving arms, confident in the promises of Christ.  In life, we have leaky boats and potholes to contend with but the sure knowledge of our eternal reward should help us to get past them. 

Paul McCartney sang, quite famously, these words: “And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.  For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see, there will be an answer, let it be.”

“Let it be” reminds me of the call of our faith to surrender in trust to the Father’s will.  That’s usually easier said than done and we don’t merely pursue trying to achieve some type of ideal zen state, but rather we do so because we truly believe in the promises of eternity, salvation and redemption.

I don’t know how the election or its immediate aftermath will play out.  Then again, I don’t know what the next few days will be like anyways.  There could be leaks in the boat or big potholes coming and so I’d do well to trust, to surrender and to let it be.  Context matters.