A note from Larry about American politics and voting:
Are you about to puke if you see one more political ad or text?!
Are you starting to feel numb, frustrated, or just plain tired of the whole political process?
I get it.
Sometimes politics can feel so confusing, overwhelming, and frustrating - that we're tempted to just check out. And honestly, it's not hard to see why.
- The issues facing our nation are WAY more complicated than either party makes them sound. It's easier (and probably gets more votes) to pick an extreme position and vilify the other side than to look for common ground or common-sense solutions.
- The Bible doesn't explicitly tell us how 21st-century America should handle immigration, homelessness, gun control, and a thousand other complicated issues. It gives us transcendent principles, but figuring out how to apply them isn't always simple. (Even though people on BOTH sides are quick to tell us what "God's position" is.)
- Religious freedom is hugely important .... and kinda confusing (of course we want freedom to worship and live out our faith - but what about the very real concerns about Islam & sharia law?)
- Every candidate is a flawed human being.
- Trying to figure out what's actually TRUE from all the "unbiased" news sources?
- Ugghh!
So yeah, it's difficult.
But - just because it's hard, doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. I believe Christians SHOULD participate in the political process. And especially, we should vote.
Because we're Americans, but more importantly - because we're followers of Jesus.
Here's what I mean...
We've been talking a lot lately about God's kingdom. Jesus taught us to pray, "May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
We're looking forward to the day when God's kingdom fully comes, when his presence covers the whole earth "like the waters cover the sea".
But we're not just sitting around waiting for that day!
We're the body of Christ. We've been invited to continue the work of Jesus, through the power of his Spirit.
We're called to announce his kingdom, invite people into it, and give the world little "samples" of what that kingdom looks like.
Love. Peace. Joy. Justice. Compassion. Healing. Freedom. Life.
One of the MANY ways we can do that is by participating in our government - including voting.
But, figuring out which candidate, party, or policy best reflects those kingdom values is NOT always simple.
So here's what I'd encourage every follower of Jesus to do:
1. PRAY.
Pray for our community, our country, and ALL our leaders. Pray for God's kingdom to come and his will to be done. Pray for wisdom, courage, humility, & discernment. PRAY.
2. REALLY look at the Bible.
Not just for a verse that supports a position - but to really understand the character of God, the life and teachings of Jesus, and the values of his kingdom.
3. LISTEN to the Holy Spirit.
who lives in us, and offers supernatural wisdom and discernment.
4. VOTE.
After praying, studying, listening, and thinking carefully, vote for the candidates/parties/platforms/initiatives you really believe best reflect the character of God, the model of Jesus, and the values of his kingdom.
(And recognize that another sincere follower of Jesus might go through that same process and reach a different conclusion.)
5. REPEAT #1.
Because ultimately, our hope isn't in a candidate, a party, or an election.
Our hope is in Jesus.
When our real, first allegiance is to the kingdom of God...
Our politics will not inform our faith. But our faith will inform our politics.
blessings,
larry
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