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Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. - Romans 13:1-2

New York City, a place that has a greater economy than many nations, has elected a Democratic-Socialist. He ran a campaign that appealed to many young voters who are unhappy with the current state of their city, state, nation, and the earth. The candidate, now mayor-elect, wooed them and depended on their unhappiness - all of it sold under a smile and the relational compatability that a 34-year-old immigrant can bring. His religion is anti-establishment. His birth is anti-establishment. His agenda is anti-establishment. And young voters wanted to dump the establishment!

How true is that of us? We shake our fist at the government at all levels. But do we forget that, even though we have a voice through our vote (and I would argue, a corresponding responsibility), the elected officials are there only because God has soveriegnly allowed it. So why do we shake our fist at government?

Is it because we live in the most technologically advanced nations in human history? Is it because the poorest among us are wealthier than 95% of the rest of the world? Is it because life is easier than at any time -- ever? It is because we have freedoms that have not died under the life of our Constitution - freedoms that are unheard of in other countries?

My point is this. We tend to pay attention to the thing(s) that does not work -- for us. Too often, we overlook the many things that do work, and we focus on the one facet that stings. If our knee hurts, we don't stop to ponder that the remainder of our body works well. If our school board makes a decision we don't agree with, we forget that the rest of the municipal government has provided us a beautiful city to live in. If we don't like our taxes, we forget that the government has given us many other things that work well.

And all the things that work well - and those that don't - are a gift from God. He has given them to us for a purpose. 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Imagine if you had sacrificed your time, effort, and energy by working overtime - or had a second job - so that you could buy your child a car for his birthday. When the child wakes up to see the "ride" you have sacrificed so hard to purchase, he wonders -- out loud of course -- why you didn't get the red car instead of the silver one that you purchased. The child's reaction is genuine (unfiltered, but genuine), but it cuts the gift-giver to the heart. What was meant to be a great blessing was now a subject of scrutiny. 

How does our Father feel when we complain that his provision is not good enough for us -- especially when we have been given so much. This is a challenge to me as much as anyone!

May we turn our hearts in thankfulness to the creator for his abundant blessings in our lives.

Let us focus on the creator, and not the mess that sin has wreaked in this world.

Let us take God at his Word!