day 1010: Election

"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."

Today, like any election day, is an important day in our country.  Today we will choose the person, in this year, the man who will lead our government for four more years.  At the conclusion of this election either the incumbent will continue in office or there will be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to a new President.  This predictable and accepted process is part of why we live in such a great county.  Elections can divide us philosophically because it a zero-sum, black and white choices that tend to divide. But let us pray that the division is melded back together at the end of this day into what we all should respect and admire, which this Republic for which it stands.  Please exercise today the most foundational of all citizen rights we are given and that is to vote. For our democracy to survive and thrive the people must be represented and heard.  This is our day to be heard.

Putting elections and politics in perspective with the Kingdom of God is not always easy and when left to our human interpretations it can also become divisive.  But, one thing is for sure, that God tells us that we are to respect our leaders and to not let any of this get in the way of forwarding His Kingdom.  So, at the end of  today, it's pretty sure that nearly 1/2 of our country will not be happy, but let's not let that get in the way of reminding ourselves that as royal priests of His holy nation that we are called to act in His light and be a standard bearer for His grace and love.  Let us also thank Him today that we don't have to campaign for His salvation.  The acceptance of His gift is all that we need to do.  

Reference: 1 Peter 2:9 (New Living Translation)

 

day 525: Decision Day

Today, all across America, people will be taking time before, after, or during their workday to go to an election poll and cast their vote. This happens in some form each year, but it's only during the Presidential elections and the two-years after that the country starts paying much attention. On election day we are given the opportunity to exercise our democratic right and we choose our elected officials and take a stand on issues that are up for vote. We stand in a booth, or we fill out a ballot and we make decisions. It's not unlike work and the jobs that we do where we make decisions all day long. The difference here is that we make a decision that no one really knows that we made unless we tell others when we are asked. Nonetheless we are forced, all at one time as a country, to make a decision. I sometimes wonder if one of the reasons we have such a low voting percentage in our country doesn't hinge on people's unwillingness, or fear, of making a decision. If our jobs and workplace are any indication, then this could be a real factor to low voter turnout. I have observed how hard it is for people to make decisions. I know that more people are indecisive than not, because when someone is decisive, they get called out and recognized for being so in a very favorable way. We are to be decisive and know where we stand on things. James tells us just this in his letter; "People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do." Decisiveness does not come naturally to us. Many of us have to be forced into it before we will make a decision. That is probably why there is an election day process; to be a forcing function for a collective decision. Today, consider if you are being decisive or not? Are there decisions that others are waiting on from you? If so, also consider that today would be a good day to get those decisions behind you. Make them and move on. Election day is a decision day, so let this be a decisive day for all of us.

Reference: James 1:7 (New Living Testament)