Ahh, it’s in the air. Can you smell it? The posturing, followed by vitriolic character assassination? The desire to highly promote oneself while at the same time, the attempt to destroy another? No, I am not talking about another “Housewives of…” series. THIS… is an Election Year! Yes, that special time when advertisements begin to flood TV, Social Media and my mailbox, all advising how great is this person and/or how terrible is their opponent.
Have you noticed how all the commercials are virtually the same? There is the dark, ominous music, followed up by non-flattering pictures of one of the candidates, (usually with an angry face, yelling, or smirking,) quite often in black and white. The voice over tells us in dramatic fashion all the things terrible with this person…Then, the music turns, and it’s joyful, hopeful, as the other candidate, (now in color,) is laughing, wearing flannel and walking with a group of ‘real folks,’ and will end with a pic of the candidate, and their family, dog included! (Never a cat…odd.) Then, I’ll be darned, if the very next commercial doesn’t belong to the other candidate, doing the exact same thing! Wait…is that exact same voiceover person?!?
I understand that this is a part of the process, but why does it have to be? Why can’t leaders simply promote their ideas, goals and record without trying to tear someone else down? In all of my voting life, I have only seen one commercial where both political opponents appeared together, at the same time, presented their ideas and then advised that their opponent is a pretty decent person and that if you liked their ideas more, please vote for them. Yes, you heard it, they BOTH said that the other is a pretty good choice! This was one of the most refreshing political commercials I had ever seen, and if I had my way, I would put them BOTH in office!
I don’t usually promote candidates, or one party over the other, typically because often neither seem like a good idea. However, I do encourage all eligible people to vote. Please, do your research, compare what candidates say to their record, (don’t just go by the commercials and advertisements,) and then vote accordingly. It is your right.
Ultimately, no matter what happens in this election cycle, we can be grateful that there remains a King over us all, the Lord, Jesus. Jesus transcends all politics, all earthly rulers and law. Our creation was made through Him and His kingdom will be on earth. Those that are in positions of government are subject to God as well. In fact, the book of Romans says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” — Romans 13:1-2.
Now, here’s the catch…those authorities that exist, only do so by the direction and power of God, therefore, they are subject to the will of God as well. They must first seek God’s direction and provision. We are not required to follow someone who is blatantly against the will of God.
So, yes, please vote. Do your research, and vote…and whoever ends up in office, let’s get behind them, and support them in prayer.
~ Pastor Sean