Religion

If you have a favorite sports team, you've probably said those famous four words.

Wait 'til next year.

Sometimes you support a team that's close to winning it all but just couldn't quite get over the hump.

But just wait 'til next year.

If you're like me, it's usually a matter of supporting a team that starts the season terribly and goes downhill from there. Then when your friends give you a hard time and say, "I told you so," the only comeback that gives you any sense of redemption is "Wait 'til next year."

As we get closer to election season and the current presidential administration approaches its sunset, many are taking inventory of the state of the union.

Every new day seems to bring more dire headlines than the day before — high gas prices, high food prices, the sinking value of the dollar, the crumbling housing market, corrupt politicians, poor international relations, war, loss of civil liberties, the devaluing of life, crimes against children, and on and on.

And as we take notice of all these things, many are saying things will be better when the next president takes office.

It's as if they believe gas prices and food prices and the housing market and the value of the dollar and all the other struggles we face are going to be better based on whose butt warms the chair in the Oval Office.

There seems to be a widespread belief that the clouds will part and the sun will come out once John McCain or Barack Obama takes the oath of office.

In a sense, many seem to be saying wait 'til next year.

To make matters worse, both candidates, to a degree, are fueling that line of thinking.

There's one little problem — things aren't going to get better.

I almost hesitate to say it because most people think ministers are supposed to always be hopeful and positive, but that's not true. Ministers are supposed to be truthful, and the truth is not always hopeful.

The word of God says "Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil …" (Is. 5:20) And God promises that a downfall awaits the prophet who says "Peace; and there was no peace." (Ez. 13:10)

In fact, the Bible assures us that things will continue to get worse — not just nationally, but worldwide. (Matt. 24)

This election is not about who will make things better. It's about who'll do the least amount of damage.

Neither McCain nor Obama will turn this country on a dime and steer us into some utopia over the next four, or even eight, years. Don't look for $2 gas or for swords to be beaten into plowshares. (Micah 4:3)

Don't get me wrong. Come November, I'll definitely vote for one of them. But it won't be with the belief that I'm electing a savior.

I already did that.