I believe yesterday will be a date that many will talk about into their old age. Election day brought out strong feelings in followers of both parties. I scrolled past many a definite expression of those feelings on facebook in the months leading up to the election. It saddened me that one’s value as a citizen was equated with one’s political feelings.
I did not vote.
I chose not to vote because I knew that I could not. I have the legal right to vote my choice every four years for the office of the President of these United States. Yet, in my heart, I could not bring myself to vote for either candidate. Therefore, I chose the only option that I saw available to me that was in line with my conscience. There is so much that I personally disagree with in both camps I could not grant the addition of my vote to either party. I will not elaborate on those points, except to say this- the truth is between God and myself.
In revealing my decision not to vote in response to a post in FB yesterday, I was amazed that there were so many subsequent posts that called my patriotism and my conscience into question. The comments were of the kind that I supposed-before yesterday- that would have been ascribed to me had I voted for the opposition; whomsoever that may have been.
The people of this great nation made a clear choice in their voting selection. Our current President will govern for another four years. The 3 seconds that it took them to vote is an investment in this country of ours.
But is that the only investment that is made?
I challenge each and every one who reads this to make the commitment to pray long and earnestly for this country and its president. There will be many decisions that he will need to make in the coming months and years that will affect us all. Can we invest the time to ask for God’s Grace, Wisdom and Mercy upon him and his advisors? This investment may be more costly than the choice to vote, however, I believe that praying for him is more important than voting for him.
Our world is changing so rapidly. We all have a concern for our future and the future of the children we bring into this world. May we honor God by deliberately placing our future in His Hands alone and not trusting in one man, a man like us, who must make decisions according to his conscience and who will be accountable before the Lord, as we are accountable, for the choices he makes.
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:1-6
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1