Designated Survivors

This week was the State of the Union address. There was one member of the Cabinet mysteriously missing, but not unplanned.  This member served as the "Designated Survivor". This is an individual that is separated from the others in a secure, distant, unknown location. His job is to take over the government in the event of a catastrophic event that wipes out all existing government and the line of succession with it. This designation started with the Cold War when the possibility of a nuclear attack and the potential destruction of human government was very real. It became even more surreal in its possibilities after 911. The Designated Survivor is provided full security protection throughout the State of the Union event. He is accompanied by a military aid equipped with a briefcase containing the full nuclear plan.

There's no clear pattern in the picks from the last three decades. But all cabinet members who served share similar stature in the administration: They tend to be lower-ranking in the established line of succession. Secretaries of state, treasury, and defense – the top three cabinet posts, respectively -- have never been tapped as designated survivors. This year, the Designated Survivor was Ernest Moniz, Energy Secretary pictured here. I can only imagine seeing that on someone's resume.

So in a macabre sense, the Designated Survivor is one who stands alone prepared to lead a country forward under what would be incredibly difficult circumstances. He is protected, equipped, ready, and willing. As a follower of Jesus, I have been called as a Designated Survivor. I am protected - there is nothing in this world that can damage my standing before God. I am equipped - the Holy Spirit has indwelt me and enabled me to have spiritual understanding. The last two however are dependent on me. Just like the Designated Survivor must be willing, I must be ready and willing to be useful. We can only imagine the circumstances by which the Designated Survivor is called into duty. A world that is desolate, crippled, dead. Does that remind you of our current world, at least spiritually?

In the scenario of the Designated Survivor, there is much that he has to do to start over. There are no other Designated Survivors (at least that I know of). But God has not designated just one of us. There are others of us out there that name the name of Christ. I think of Tom Randall who as I write is still in a detention cell in the Philippines. He is not alone - he is surrounded by many who pray for him, love him, support him. I think of Elijah thinking he is standing alone when there are many who have not "bowed their knees to Baal" (1 Kings 19:18). I think of Paul who is encouraged in Corinth because there are "many in this city" (Acts 18:10). So we are part of a broader band of designated survivors - equipped, enabled, and protected for God's will and glory.