Let’s be honest, the political world in the United States of America is not pretty. Constant negative political ads fill our screens for months. Political candidates mock each other and call those who don’t agree with them names on national stages. The divisiveness that is woven in it makes me want to ignore all politics, parties, candidates, and even voting itself. However, after living alongside refugees and immigrants who haven’t always had a say in their government, I do understand that the right to vote is a tremendous privilege one should exercise when given the freedom to do so.
The first time I voted, I cried. I remember thinking, how do I navigate the murky and often unkind waters of American politics? And even more so, how do I do this as someone who loves and follows Jesus? I am not an expert by any means, but after years of wrestling with our American politics, these are my thoughts upon approaching an election.
Know who you follow.
If you are entering the voting booth with all your hopes hung on a certain candidate or political party, you are already off course. Philippians 3:20 says, “but our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse reminds us that we belong in a heavenly kingdom with eyes looking up. Does this mean that God doesn’t care about government? No. In Matthew 22:21, Jesus evades entrapment from Jewish leaders by answering a question about paying taxes. Jesus states, “Therefore, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” In this verse, he is acknowledging that Christ followers are part of two kingdoms. We are part of a temporary, earthly kingdom with a government and so must participate and follow laws, like paying taxes. However, we are also part of a true Kingdom, one that will never be overturned, crumble, or pass away. As a Christ follower your only Savior and King is Jesus, not a political candidate, not a party platform. Enter the polls knowing to whom you truly belong and which Kingdom matters.
Know your mission.
If someone heard you talk, what would they say your focus is? Would it be your family, your friends, your politics, or your ideas on controversial issues? Or would it be that you are about advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Entering the polls for me is like a massive heart check. Who am I putting my faith in and what am I hoping to accomplish on earth? As a Christ follower, my mission should not be whether my vote sways legislation to overturn or right wrongs that I perceive in society. Should I care about justice, equality, and government? Yes! But as I stand at the polls will I be forlorn if my candidate doesn’t win or if people who support opposing ideologies sweep the nation? No. As a Christ follower, I know that it is Jesus who is the only one who can provide true justice and equality. And until that day, I will rest in the knowledge that God is supremely powerful, in charge, and can do like He did in Daniel’s day and use an evil ruler to bring about His purposes.
In the book of Daniel, God causes King Nebuchadnezzar to lose his mind and wander the earth like an animal until he acknowledges the true King, God. In Daniel 4:34-35 it says, “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’” I don’t have to carry the burden of who will lead the nation today or tomorrow. What I need to carry, and what I pray others will say about me when I leave this earth, is that I cared if people knew Christ. I want to be known for loving Jesus, loving my neighbors, and that I am telling others about the freedom that can be found in knowing God intimately.
Jesus wasn’t American. God doesn’t love America more.
Jesus was a Jewish man, who lived in the middle east over 2,000 years ago. Jesus is also the Son of God and sits on the throne of Heaven. He is the King of all people and all nations. I sat in a church a few months ago that had the American flag prominent and on equal footing with the Cross. I don’t believe a national flag should ever sit in prominence or be equal with the symbol of what Jesus did when he created a way to bridge the gap of sin and death through His sacrifice on the Cross. You can love God and love your country. But, if you are tempted to believe that the God of the entire universe loves your country more than any others, you are heading down a dangerous road of idolatry.
There is much more that could be said regarding politics and following Jesus. I could go on and on about the fact that the Democrat and Republican parties support contradictory ideas that God commands of those that follow him. Like protecting the sanctity of life, helping the immigrant (stranger) among us, caring for the poor, etc. Voting by party is often not as cut and dry as one would like to believe, especially when you value all life, in all stages and forms, as Jesus commands us to do.
Enter in Palms Up.
So, this is where I have adopted the posture of entering the polling booth palms up. Inform yourself as much as you can on policies, agendas, and candidates. Pray. Pray. Pray. Then submit. Not to a government or a political candidate. Not to hopes and dreams. But submit to God and his authority. When you enter the voting booth fully surrendered, palms up, and eyes on the heavenly Kingdom, all else pales in comparison. I’ll leave you with a verse from one of my favorite hymns.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in his wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.
In the light of his glory and grace.
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