I'm Not Going To Tell You Who To Vote For

I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, there are enough fear mongers out there screaming at you. All I am going to say is that your vote counts and that nobody should vote without thinking and praying first.

Neither candidate, and for that matter, neither political party fully represents “Christian values”. There is no one candidate or party who lives up to anyone’s definition of “Christian”.  And, by the way, who decides what exactly “Christian Values” are and which ones we expect society to adhere to?

It is impossible to make a choice between the two major candidates along with their policy platforms and agendas without accepting some level of compromise. We make compromises daily with every decision we make in life. Should I order the French fries or the side salad with my double bypass cheese burger? Should I buy the SUV so I can haul the kids to school and their sports games or get the two seater sports car that I really wish I could drive up the coast with the top down and the wind in my hair? Do I buy that new shirt online or support the local retailer? Do I drive a gas hog or a hybrid? And on, and on, and on!

When we vote, and especially in this election, we face moral dilemmas more serious than these few examples, ones that have long term consequences, ones that we must take the time to search our hearts and minds on. Every election year we are presented with a decision that requires us to know why we are voting one way or the other, not simply voting “Blue” or “Red” because we were told that was the right way – the “Christian” way to vote. When we cast our votes we are making a compromise, I don’t like the “lesser of two evils” view but in reality that just might be what it is. No candidate is perfect, no candidate will live up to all of our expectations, and no candidate will keep every campaign promise. But we must decide between the two and in a nation as polarized as ours there will of course be those who will be unhappy with the winner.

So, what are we as followers of Jesus supposed to do? What is our responsibility? First and foremost be an informed electorate, prayerfully study the issues and the candidates. Search your heart as to what you value in a civil society and compare that with what Jesus taught. Read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and seek out what values Jesus was teaching. We can’t vote for Jesus, that’s just a silly meme on social media… but we can vote the values that Jesus taught us. We can vote for mercy and love. We can vote to care for those in need. We can vote to care for the sick and the elderly. We can vote to be peacemakers. We can vote for people with character and decency.

We usually think of paying taxes when we read Jesus’ words “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s” but I would suggest that here in the U.S. we can apply that to voting as well. We have the privilege and I might add a sacred duty to vote. We can’t vote for a perfect candidate, none exists, but for Heaven’s sake please vote.

Most of all I would suggest that no matter who wins in November that we all remember Paul’s words to Timothy:

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)