I am 55 years old, and the first presidential election that I voted in was in 1980. I have always paid attention to politics with both a curious and discerning eye. I cannot recall a presidential election that caused as much angst as this one has for me.
Through the years I have watched many debates that over time reveal less and less to me where the candidates stand on different issues. In the same way we become fixated on a car wreck, this presidential season captured my attention.
A thought I had this year is how much social media has changed how we talk about politics. It seems my generation bridges the gap between two very different generations where one never talked openly about their political leanings and most definitely never revealed who they voted for in an election, and another generation that not only talks freely about politics but with a brash and “I am right, and you are wrong” tone.
The faceless nature of social media is the blame for this shift. It removes the immediate feedback that we get when we dialogue face to face. Sadly, this lack of respect for one another pours over now into much of our public discourse.
After watching one of the presidential, ahem, debates, I sat there with a definite physical reaction. I felt unsettled. I honestly didn’t know how to cast my vote.
I have read numerous articles about why voting for either candidate is ungodly and the death to our great nation. I have friends who fall on both sides of the political spectrum, and I read what many of them posted on social media.
I, if you noticed, kept quiet. Not because I don’t have opinions. I do. And I am inclined to persuasion at times about what I think to be true and right. But that isn’t my intention for my website nor my presence on social media.
However, I do feel strongly that my intention and role is to remind you, especially if you are a Christian that this world isn’t our home. I don’t mean just the United States; I mean this world. We live here for a short time. Not only is our life on this beautiful planet fleeting and quickly withers just like the bloom on a daylily, but this physical world isn’t eternal.
There is another kingdom that is eternal whose leader isn’t in His place because of our vote or a coup or any other reason except that He is Creator God.
And even though I fully believe in the civil duty of voting and participating in the wonderful democracy we call our nation, I also completely believe that it is God who appoints leaders of all nations for His purpose.
Now before you begin to argue with me about how these things coexist, I will tell you now, I don’t know that answer, I just know it is true.
So if you are wondering what I think we should do about all of this angst that this year’s presidential election brought upon us, here are a few thoughts:
Get our own house in order.
I do think that we need to hold our elected officials to a high standard. I also think that we can apply that same standard to our own house. If we want to see our nation be one that holds to values that are noble and good, we need to remember that any nation is built upon individuals and families.
Honor all people.
Okay, I know many of you don’t agree with me. Can you still honor me? One thing that has made this nation great is our right to freedom of expression. However, if we can’t respect that another has that same right, we ourselves will lose that right. I am much more willing to listen to you and your views if you treat me with honor and respect. I promise I will return the favor.
I don’t need to know who you voted for or where you land on the political landscape even though I am always open to a dialogue. I do need to remember who created you and that alone is reason enough to honor you.
Have a Kingdom mentality.
If you don’t know the Creator and Sustainer of all there is, I hope you get to know Him. If you do know Him, I remind and urge you to refocus your sights on Him; not on an elected official. Ask God how to live in this world but not of this world.
I am open to any dialogue you care to have on this topic here, but remember I reserve the right to delete any comment that I consider offensive or disrespectful.
May God bless the United States of America.
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