Every election year politics capture the attention of the American people, mesmerizing us with its hypnotic chants of civic duty, and instilling the fear of "the other guy" deep within us. Everyone is affected by this quadrennial holiday of sorts; whether they react with gusto toward their man, concern of who to vote for, or apathy due to the overwhelming information or a disheartened state from deceptive promises and corruption in our political parties. However we act in response to this time of year, we all are all made aware of what is happening, and thus we make our choices of how to react in accordance with our stance; whether it appears as action or inaction, we are in fact making a decision that involves us in the process.
So, how will you react?
Does your vote make a difference? Will either candidate fulfill all your hopes and dreams for this country? Is Democracy no longer effective, rendered paralyzed in its ideality by a straying from Constitutionality and a bureaucratic roadblock in the way of true choice? When only the Republican or Democratic picks ever have a chance of becoming President, do we really have the choice we should as Americans?
Does any candidate fully represent you? Are you voting for a lesser of two evils? Are you compromising some of what you hold as truth, voting for him that comes closest in the areas that you deem as most important. Wouldn't it be great if there was a candidate that held all of the right perspectives on what really matters?
Good news! You can be the President. Perhaps not of the United States; we'd have to be pretty crazy to elect you, but you can be President of your own life. After all, isn't the President the one chosen to act out the Constitutional truths of this land, upholding justice through knowledge, wisdom, and perhaps God.
No matter who you are, you can make your vote known everyday. Not for a politician or other elected official, but for truth. Make an informed decision on what merits your vote in your heart and in this world. Every word we speak and action we present casts a ballot. When the chads of our life are counted, do our votes match our "politics?"
If you are a Christian, this remains true, but takes an entirely new perspective and depth.
9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9-21
If we really know the Lord, we fear Him, in understanding that he holds us accountable to these votes (actions) we take in our lives daily. And thus we persuade others, for we have been given the truth, and along with that truth the duty of being ambassadors to the Truth. We testify to the forgiveness of sins and the grace of God for those who believe. We do this to be Christ's righteousness to the world, and in doing so you would know who we our, in our intentions for truth and love of others, within your conscience
No candidate can take your duty for you. No man on Earth can act in your stead and alter the judgment set forth for you. Obama or McCain, if elected, will have a new set of responsibilities pinned to his chest, but none of them will be your responsibilities.
Let's stop pointing fingers. If America is in moral decay, and if our leaders are corrupt or unwise, let us assess what part we have played in the state of our country, rather than pretending the problem originates in politics. The problem originates in our individuals and our families forsaking the truth by not living it and not sharing it as they should. Politicians are puppets that find their power in appealing to the populus. Any corruption or ill-decisions is a direct result of the heart of the people. Christ is in the business of changing hearts, and we are called to the business of making Christ known.
Let's purify ourselves. Let us vote for our officials to the best of our ability, but let us not find our hope in politicians or politics. Let us find our hope in moral virtues, righteousness, forgiveness, and a God who holds a truth stronger than any man's convictions and any legal document ever penned. Vote everyday, in everything you do.
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