Dear America: Election Day

Looks like I can't keep my promise not to write anything about politics after all. But this isn't about politics - it's about Jesus.

I'm about to go to sleep in South Africa - blissfully removed from non-stop media and exit polls coming in and states being called (and blissfully spared from two years of non-stop campaigning!). In the morning, I'll wake up to find the results of today's election online and will get on with my day. About half of you will be disappointed and about half of you will be excited.

I reluctantly voted a few weeks ago by mail - mostly because I felt that one candidate stood out on a few issues I believe to be important. Half of you voted for that candidate as well, but for your own reasons. Half of you voted for the other candidate because he stood out on a few issues you believe to be important. I respect that and understand how reasonable people can come to different voting decisions.

But even if the candidate I voted for wins this election, I don't expect much in the way of what I believe to be the most important goal of the day - the expansion of God's Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

I do not place any confidence in transformation by political means or a particular candidate or party. And I encourage you, my dear five readers, to reach the same conclusion. Putting "Country First" is a gross offense to those who owe allegiance to a Kingdom, and the "Change We Can Believe In" will never ever come from leaders of a terrestrial empire.

What matters most is not how you voted today, but how you voted yesterday and how you will vote tomorrow. Our actions each day reveal our true love and our motivations. May our daily actions - our daily vote - be for the Kingdom of the Heavens First and for the Transforming Power of Jesus We Can Believe In. We do not belong to Republicans or Democrats, but to Christ and Christ Alone.

Comments

[Ann]

http://markdroberts.com

[steven]

We agree! Well, I'm assuming we agree since you posted a link to a site that agrees!

[Ann]

We agree on the concept of promoting the Kingdom of God in our daily decision making and agendas. We agree that you cannot separate politics from personal perspectives/experiences. We agree that no matter who the president elect would become (even if we agree or disagree with that outcome) that we MUST pray for the leaders of our country. As I have had great confidence in our society and it's ability to make educated/well informed decisions ... outside the scope of what would most affect their pocket books SOLELY ...I am now becoming a cynic where you are probably gaining hope. Though the argument is not how could a Christian vote for either candidate, but the means to which they come to that decision. Each party offers a "partial" hope for our Christian values. For example (limited example) the democrats value "spreading the wealth", not to be said in a derogatory way...which simply means, helping those that are not as fortunate as others, who have not worked as hard as others, or simply have had a tough go of it....to this I question...how has government ever been able to help people that are down and out better than individuals, churches, and private charity efforts ...all of which America leads the way internationally on? For the republican party it is well known for it's family values and pro-life agenda, which trickle into a variety of different arenas...to this I would say, though we have made limited progress over the last 8 years, we should have made more!

I agree that the United States needs to regain its respect in the international community, and a change of leadership will hopefully accomplish that! I am doubtful that the things that mean the least to me will be affected by the current president - elect, but am almost completely confident that the things that mean the most to me will be impacted in a negative way. I am challenged to be excited by an outcome that the world - stage, and MOSTLY our enemies were praying for. I am challenged to be excited about a president - elect who was not forth - coming in many of the basic documents you would have to provide for a basic background investigation.

None the less.....I know God can use any leader and am praying HE will choose to use this one for the returning of the United States to acknowledge who we are as a country under God.

So yes, we agree........

[steven]

Ann - Great post with some beautiful, honest thoughts. Thanks for this. Just have one issue: "I am now becoming a cynic where you are probably gaining hope" - my dear sister, you have waaaay underestimated my cynicism. :) Welcome to the club. :)