To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
1 Peter 5:1-4

---

Today is Election Day. It is time to vote for the person we believe will best handle the challenges at home and abroad. It can be an emotionally charged decision, especially if we think we are at a critical time in history. Some voters have confidence in their candidate, and others feel they are choosing the lesser evil. Whatever the case, we can have peace knowing the election’s outcome will not surprise God. We can accept the results, believing no leader can shake God’s plan for redemption when Jesus returns.

Jesus prepared His disciples to lead and establish His church. Peter had raw leadership talent, but he was impulsive and over-confident. When Jesus revealed God’s plan for His suffering and death, Peter protested strongly. He was viewing it based on his limited human understanding. He thought he was training for a position of honor with the king who would overthrow Roman rule. Peter had no idea he was with the KING who would defeat evil and establish an everlasting kingdom. So, Jesus rebuked him for valuing human concerns over God’s plan.

After Judas left the Passover celebration to betray Him, Jesus told the eleven remaining disciples they would fall away. Peter pridefully vowed he would never disown Jesus, but he did. Having denied Jesus not once but three times, he was devastated and wept bitterly. After His resurrection, Jesus lovingly reinstated Peter, commanding him to feed His lambs and care for His sheep.

Peter took the shepherding metaphor to heart, remembering Jesus used it to refer to Himself. In today’s passage, Peter writes to the elders as one leader to another. Having learned from experience, he encourages them to be shepherds tenderly watching over their sheep. They should serve eagerly and be motivated to please God, not because of pressure. He warns them to avoid the temptation to mishandle church funds or lord their power over the flock. Instead, they should lead by example. When they feel discouraged, they should trust that future rewards will outweigh any present suffering. The elders will be vindicated when the Chief Shepherd returns to rule in glory. All will know the shepherds got it right.

On this election day, let’s use the power of prayer to ask that our next president be a shepherd serving for all the right reasons. Let’s also pray we learn from Peter not to question God’s plan, even if the election results do not make sense to us. Let’s ask for the wisdom to place our hope in the divine Chief Shepherd, not the human Commander in Chief.

Next Steps

How can you prepare for the possibility your preferred candidate does not win? How can you hold space to both celebrate with some and shepherd others through their disappointment?