After the EU referendum polling day on June 23rd and the national declaration of the referendum result on June 24th, debates still carry on everywhere, including the media. Scrolling down facebook continues to reflect people's intense emotions regarding the decision of the UK to leave the European Union. There are those who feel triumphant after this decision. Others are deeply upset and desperately hope there will be a re-vote, or they post how badly the world economy and international relations have already been affected by this decision. Again others try to be "all cool" about it, saying it's not going to change that much for us.
I have tried my utmost to verbally stay out of it which required a lot of self-control from an extrovert, passionate German like me. You bet I have had my own thoughts on it. I have lived in the UK for over nine years now, and the list of things I love about this nation and its people is very, very long. I think it's safe to say I have spent some of the best years of my life here, and I still love it. I know me and my husband are here because God has called us here until He calls us elsewhere, whenever and wherever that is.
Well, I'm also German. A "mainland European". Although my heart doesn't quite beat to the steady, structured and ordered German mindset and rhythm of life, I still feel connected to my homeland and its wonderful assets in many areas of life. And I see myself as an earth pilgrim too, loving the diversity of the many languages and cultures which cover this "pale blue dot" in the universe.
This may explain to you my emotional and mental dilemma: I listened to the warnings of those who claimed to know all the bad that might happen if the UK disconnected from the EU. I also heard what those who wanted Great Britain to vote "leave" expected to improve if the country chose to no longer be part of the EU. My mind was having arguments with itself, and it soundlessly shouted especially at those who seemed to demonise not only the EU as an institution, but in fact, the whole of Europe. My heartrate went through the roof several times! Through this onslaught of thoughts and emotions displayed by many people as well as inside my own self, I finally interrupted myself - and took a step back. A large one.
I stood and looked, and then I asked myself: "What is really going on here?" And instead of getting side-tracked and emotionally dragged off to a place I never wanted to be at, I wondered: "What is 'fact' as far as it goes for me personally?"
Fact is: I have not been to university and studied world politics, economics or anything along those lines. I do watch the news, and I'm very interested in history and current events. I know a little about how Germans and a few other mainland Europe countries tend to view the UK. I know how many people in the UK view mainland Europe, including Germany.
God has not given me ANY revelation on whether the EU is demonised and works for the antichrist! Neither has He clearly shown me that the EU is simply full of nice people who are just trying to bring the countries of Europe together more. I have observed a few issues on both "sides" of this whole Brexit issue (before the EU referendum was ever discussed) which I could comment on. But really, do I have the big picture? (And really, who has?..)
Interestingly enough, after the results were in about Britain leaving the EU, some "neutral" political and economical experts (who hadn't been shouting to back either side of the Brexit previously) were interviewed on the news, and they were asked what they thought would happen next. You know what they said? "Honestly, we don't know. We will have to wait and see." How freeing it is when someone is actually honest. They simply said they didn't know.
One thing I know for sure is this, and I'm now particularly speaking to my fellow brothers and sisters in the Christian faith: I have rarely seen such a nasty display of pride, animosity and disrespect as I have in the run up of this EU referendum, and it still doesn't stop now! People express triumph (before knowing what the far-reaching consequences of this result will actually be!) and tell the "remain" voters to just get over it and be quiet. There is a large amount of sulking "remain" voters as well who wish the worst on the "leave" voters. Links to articles are posted on how bad things are already getting, and some even demand a re-vote.
You know what also really made me raise my eyebrows? Many people around me said they had heard from God regarding what to vote - "remain" or "leave", and I'm sorry to tell you, but just in case God did in fact have a black-and-white view on this decision: 50% of you heard wrong!
Finally - the decision has been made. We will now need to live with the consequences, whatever they may be. I'm pretty sure we will ALL get a few surprises over the coming weeks, months and years in regards to this decision.
What is really burning on my heart to say right now is this.
What is the state of our heart right now? Whether we have voted "remain" or "leave", what does our heart look like right now?
Throughout this whole process, we may have forgotten that while nations and the plans of God for the nations may be of great importance, really what comes up an awful lot in the word of God is that He cares about our heart - our motives, feelings, and the direction of our thought life.
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23
What have you thought and felt towards people who are not of the same opinion as you? How have you thought about them, talked to them and written to or about them?
Seriously. What have the last weeks and months revealed about the intents and thoughts of our hearts towards others?
"But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says 'Fool' will be sent to fiery hell." Matthew 5:22
Have you ever wondered if this was a test - a test so we could see what would come up from our own hearts, out of our own mouths (or fingers while typing), through the fire of contention?
If it helps, I'm going to freely admit at this point that I have failed this test big time! Emotions, hidden views and thoughts came up in me that I had no prior awareness of! Bitterness and annoyance and self-pity and self-satisfaction in "knowing better"... Sound familiar?
"For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder." 2 Corinthians 12:20
Further more, I'm wondering if the intensity of raw emotion regarding the EU referendum has revealed what we really rely upon in this life. "Britain needs to stay in the EU to make the EU stronger." - "Britain needs to come out of the EU to 'become great again'." Do we rely on our own government? On our great history and its achievements? On independence? On connection with certain bodies of power on this earth? Sure, if you don't believe God exists, that's all you will have left. But as a believer?.. What are you honestly relying on?
"Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Psalm 146:3
I wonder what God feels, and what is on His heart right now.
While we are still waiting to know what the full consequences of the Brexit will be, there is one thing I am desperately hoping we will do as believers, and do it now:
Turning away from pride, mockery, offense, self-righteousness, self-pity, anger and opinionated arguments.
Instead, turning to JESUS. True love. Forgiveness. Honour. Humility. Quietness of spirit.
"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:4
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
And yes. Pray for the future of Great Britain. Pray for the future of Europe. Pray for governments, leaders, politicians.
But let us please, please guard and watch our own hearts as followers of Jesus. Let us never behave like this again. Let us embrace each other as believers, no matter how much our opinions differ. And let us embrace fellow believers across the nations. We need each other! And together, we need our beloved Jesus! He is our only treasure! Our only hope!
"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8
