#SpreadTheGospel

Good people,

What is going on with you?

Friday the 13th is upon us and it’s in the month of November…. 😏

Muhahaha!

I made a friend who sends me the most endearing of voice notes that start with, “This is *Ruby speaking with his voice..” and it reminded me of Paul, who starts off his epistles with “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ…” Perhaps one of these days I will surprise you with, “This is That Lady writing to you in her own (digital) handwriting…” given the high proliferation of AI writing, who knows? You may just need a confirmation or two from me, that it is indeed I that write-th and not AI generated material.

How many of you watched or followed the American midterm elections? Show of hands please? Well, I did. So enthused was I by the mid-term campaigns and the unexpected outcomes, that the Holy Spirit and I decided to write about it.

The Man Who Won While Staying Home

In September, Eric Armstrong, a Democrat running for a state House seat in a Republican-leaning district in western Iowa, announced he was stepping away from his campaign for health reasons. His name was still on the ballot, and in November he won anyway, by 865 votes. His Republican opponent, Keith Jones, a county supervisor and retired police lieutenant, said afterward that voters deserve to know more about Armstrong’s health. Armstrong has told reporters he’ll do his best to represent the district while dealing with it. 😂

That’s a man who won a race he wasn’t running!

I’m not telling you this to cheer for a party. I’m telling you because Ecclesiastes saw it coming:

“the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong”

Ecclesiastes 9:11 NIV

The race is not for the swift. Every consultant, pollster and strategist should have that verse taped to their monitor. Sometimes the best-planned campaign loses, and sometimes the guy who left the room wins. I found this absolutely hilarious!😂😅😂 As Proverbs puts it:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Plan your course, church, but hold it loosely. 🙏🏾

What’s My Name?

Now to Michigan. Dr. Abdulrahman Mohammed El-Sayed, a physician and former public health official who had never held elected office, won the Senate seat over Republican Mike Rogers. He becomes the first Muslim to hold it. This is the same man who lost the 2018 Democratic primary for governor by more than 20 points, narrowly won this year’s primary against Rep. Haley Stevens, and went on to win the general. Say what you want about his politics, but that is a comeback and speaking of comebacks, this man’s clap-backs were straight fire! 🔥

During the midterm campaigns, President Trump repeatedly called him “Mohammed”, which is El-Sayed’s middle name, in an attempt to paint him as a sympathizer to the Muslim brotherhood and also deliberately called him “Abdul lalala” in mockery. Guess what? Despite the smear campaigns, Dr. Abdul El Sayed won by a landslide and in his victory speech, he said, “Donald, if my name is too hard for you to pronounce, you can just call me …Senator.”

It reminded me of Mohammed Ali’s iconic moment in 1967, pummeling Ernie Terrell and demanding, “What’s my name?” Terrell kept calling him Cassius Clay before but with a couple of punches to his face, I’m sure he remembered Mohammed Ali for the rest of his life. A name is not a small thing. It carries identity and dignity, and refusing to say it correctly is a way of refusing to see the person. The Bible agrees.

“I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1 NIV

Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, and Simon became Peter. When God changes a name, He does it on purpose, and when He calls one, He gets it right.

From Inshallah to Alhamdulillah

This was my favourite part. In his victory speech, Dr. El-Sayed said, “we turn that Inshallah into Alhamdulillah.” Inshallah is “God willing,” the hope before the outcome. Alhamdulillah is “praise be to God,” the gratitude after it. Christians have the same rhythm. James tells us to say “if the Lord wills” about our plans (James 4:15), and Paul says “thanks be to God” when the victory comes (1 Corinthians 15:57). Hope first, then praise. 🙌🏾

All Men Are Created Equal

Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain rights. Jefferson himself held slaves, which means the sentence was bigger than the man who wrote it. But where did the idea come from? Genesis 1:27: God created humanity in His own image. Equality was never a political invention. It was a theological claim, and every generation since has had to decide whether to live up to it. A kid from Michigan with Egyptian parents, a retired railroad executive in Iowa, all carry the same image. That’s the part we keep forgetting.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

The swift don’t always win.

If this article spoke to your heart and you are not yet born again, would you like to give your life to Christ? If yes, please repeat the prayer below out loud:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for dying on the cross for me. I believe in my heart that you died and rose again and I confess with my mouth that You are Lord and Saviour in my heart and in my life. I denounce my former ways and choose to be Your child. Thank You for setting me free. I am now born again.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

God loves you, God favours you and He has a plan for you, just trust Him.

You are blessed.

XO,

That Lady