Remember this at the polls…
We are now less than a week away from one of the most controversial and contentious elections in decades. Many of us have heard and said many of the following statements in regards to our 2 main candidates for President:
“Like trying to choose between seats on the Titanic.”
“I’m going to have to hold my nose and vote.”
“It’s the lesser of two evils.”
You’ve heard them all. We’ve said them all. Of course I’m not going to tell you how to vote, but I will tell you a few things to keep in mind. How should a Christian view this year’s election?
First, with gratitude.
As much as you may not like the choices, remember voting is more than a right, it’s a privilege. We get the freedom to vote and not everyone gets that. People gave their lives for that choice we have. Be grateful for the opportunity. I was telling my kids the other day as my wife and I filled out our absentee ballot… “girls, if for no other reason, we vote because we can.” Of course there are other reasons and moral obligations that go along with our chance to be the change we pray for, but in seasons when you think they candidates or issues don’t either affect you or agree with you, we still vote. Because we can.
Second, with prayer.
As much as we celebrate the right to vote, we recognize that there is a greater One behind all of this – greater than our voting, greater than our country, and greater than our freedom. And it is to Him that we pray and ask for his leading. Remember what God would often do in the Old Testament if the King would not follow him? He’d raise up a prophet or a pioneer to lead from another chair, rather than the throne of power. Joseph became the second in command to Pharaoh. Daniel influenced policy to a King who built a statue of himself for people to worship. And Jeremiah influenced several Kings as they hesitated to obey God. I like what Mike Breaux says, “We should pray for a Joseph.”
Finally, with hope.
As dark of days as you think the church is living in, we are a ways from Christians being thrown to lions and used to light the President’s garden parties. If the church can survive (and thrive) during the reign of Nero in the first century, I think it will be ok with either Clinton or Trump as President.
Here’s my election prediction: No matter who elected President on November 8th, Jesus will still be King.