It’s an election year! Early last week, we had a flyer on our front doorknob. It was an invitation to an ice cream social and to meet with a candidate running for state representative. It was being held at the neighborhood clubhouse so very close by.
I was surprised that Scott wanted to go. He is allergic to dairy but he said we should get to know our neighbors. The morning of the social, we mentioned to Marcus that he might get some free ice cream if he comes home earlier than normal. He looked at the flyer and said it was a good reason to leave work early.
As we were about to leave the house, Marcus came home and said he wanted ice cream. We saw the ice cream truck parked at the corner of the parking lot and some people near a couple of tables nearby. Most of them were wearing campaign shirts. It seemed more people were in the swimming pool or tennis court than eating ice cream.
The candidate made his way towards us and we got to know more about him. Then we talked with others from his campaign. We found out about big PAC funding his opponents while he relies on smaller grass roots funds.
I didn’t think more of it until we saw an ad on TV from his opponents saying false things about him. This got us thinking that we had to vote in the primary. We are nonpartisan so only vote in the general election.
My parents had a strong sense of civic duty. I was named after the then president’s wife. My brother was named after two former presidents. Unlike normal families, like Scott’s, my family didn’t just vote for a candidate, we (my parents) volunteered our time to support a candidate. I remember staying up late at campaign parties on election days because of close races. My family would attend many campaign rallies. We would have buttons, signs, t-shirts with a particular candidate’s name on them.
I didn’t take my voting responsibility seriously until after I got married. Before our kids were born, I wouldn’t tell Scott how I voted but then I realized that if we didn’t agree, our votes would cancel each other out. So it was best if we discussed who or why we should vote a certain way. Sometimes we disagreed but most of the time we agreed.
Politics can be so crazy that it seems like we should stay away and not participate but the Believers Instruction Book: Living Edition seems to say otherwise. Apostle Paul says that all governing authority is from God. We are blessed to live in a country where we have the privilege to vote for the people to govern us. Voting is one way of seeking good of our neighbors.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the founding fathers of this country who set up a government for the people by the people and of the people. Help us to continue to elect leaders who act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. May Your Holy Spirit guide all of us through this election year.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
1 Corinthians 10:24
1 Peter 2:13-17
Proverbs 6:16-19
Romans 13:1
Micah 6:8
Song
“Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then look up the candidates with strong character and vote for them.