11/03/2020
Guess How I Voted…
Before I tell you, I want to come clean politically. I am neither a Democrat nor Republican. I’ve voted all sorts of ways, which is as my conscience would have it. So please don’t mistake this as an endorsement. If you haven’t already voted, I’m asking you to vote your God-given conscience, despite what that might mean for the stock market, your taxes or the number of people on the Supreme Court.
Whatever your political affiliation, I think we can agree that America is at a dangerous crossroads in a number of ways, but most importantly, we’re at a crossroad of civility. A recent poll said 34% of Americans think another Civil War by 2025.
We need to turn this ship around. The best way of doing that is if the 65% of Americans who identify themselves as Christians will put Christ first, relationships second and politics a distant third. God, family, country.
I know that’s not the way we often hear it, but let me show you why God, country, family is not biblical. Jesus said the top two commandments are to love God with all you being and love your neighbor as yourself. Of the government, he only said, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.”
There aren’t many more instructions about politics in the New Testament, mainly to submit to the authorities and pray for them. If all Christ followers would obey the scriptures on this matter, America can remain strong. But in the final analysis, we need to recognize Country doesn’t trump Kingdom.
Christ followers, because we are a big majority in this country, we are in the strong position to make a difference if we will just put following Christ, seeking the Kingdom of God first. It’s not the end of the world if your candidate of choice doesn’t win. The end of the world is when the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend. And on that day, our politics will seem like very petty business. And yet at present, it has such a strong hold on us.
I just learned today (fortunately after a nice, big breakfast) that my dear friends in Corpus Christi are fasting today and tomorrow, seeking God in this election season. I’m going to join them now through tomorrow evening in fasting.
I’ve already voted, but, is it just me… I feel so powerless right now.
“What can I do?” is the question that led me to write today. And just before I set down to write, I got word of my friends' fast. That’s something else I can do, surely more effective than this missive. Fast and pray. I know that if the whole American church were taking that approach, our nation would heal quickly after this election, because God works in us and on us when we fast and pray. But the whole American church will not be doing that, so it comes down to me and you.
How are we going to get through this? Are we going to come out the other side accepting whatever the outcome legitimately is? Are we going to have an attitude problem for the next four years? Are we going to live in fear? Are we going to be angry at each other, blame people of color or swing states or the Supreme Court?
I have lived outside the US (Spain, Brazil and Ecuador) for four years and traveled to more than 30 countries and there is no place like the United States. I hope you’ll understand from this message that I’m deeply patriotic. I don’t go around wearing flag colored clothing and, in fact, I’m often critical of our country (and the Church…) but it’s because I care and love it enough to speak truth about it.
America is strong because of its diversity and commitment to the ideals of freedom. However difficult it is to live in a diverse society, and however poorly we at times put those ideals of freedom into practice, we are something special on the face of this earth. We can fight to remain a special place in the world, or we can pull ourselves apart.
I pray that this election will remind us how much we love our country. Only something we dearly love could stir our passions so. In fact, as a preacher I heard today said, people are defending their parties more than they have ever defended their faith. He said, we have “lost our righteous mind” over these elections.
So how did I vote?
“With a trembling hand.” Our choices are less than God’s ideal for us, “so there should be humility in our vote.” (Pastor Albert, Good News Today)
Let’s keep in mind that love of country belongs well situated underneath love of God and of each other. If your politics are interfering with loving each other, check the order of your priorities.
On Wednesday…
About 40% of America is going to be hurting, anxious, maybe even desperate, while the other 40% rejoices. Whichever your lot, your country needs you right now to “come back to your righteous mind,” and assume your position in the ministry of reconciliation that you’ve been given as a child of God. 2 Cor. 5:18
What is done tomorrow, will be done. Let’s get our eyes back on “the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”
See you on the other side, my friends.
Donna Schillinger
