I am not convinced that the majority of American voters particularly likes either one of these candidates. I believe many are primarily using their vote to vote against a party or a particular candidate, rather than because they truly believe the person on "their side" is the most qualified individual to be our president.
Think about that.
Things like anger, pride, disdain, and hatred are driving the vote over things like competence, integrity, servant-leadership, courage, and discernment.
This is what breaks my heart.
I'm not worried about America. I don't worry about what is going to happen to our country. My hope is not in the President or any other elected leader. My hope is not in a political party or issue. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
Yes, those are the words to the famous hymn, "The Solid Rock". I find them to fit perfectly here. While many in our country are anxious, reeling, and becoming more divisive, I'm singing, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
To put it plainly, if your hope is in the 2024 election and the candidate of your choice, you are on a sinking ship. Yes, you are on a sinking ship even if your candidate wins the election. Hope will not be found in your candidate. That person will not solve all the issues of our nation or our world. That person will serve their term(s), leave office, and eventually die.
Sound harsh?
Just telling you the truth. Why attach your hopes and dreams so passionately to something that will not last? Jesus is eternal.
What is a Christian to do?
First and foremost, put your hope in Jesus.
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Secondly, display that beacon of hope to the world.
This is where I'd like to camp out for a minute. However, don't mistake the supreme importance of first putting your hope in Jesus! That's ultimately how our Creator wants us to live. I think most Christians would agree that we should put our hope in Jesus over the things of this world. The problem is that we don't live it out all the time. We say it, but we don't live like we truly believe it.
And again, this is what breaks my heart.
I put myself in this category, because I am not perfect. I am guilty of often losing sight of the fact that my hope is found in Christ and I put energy and effort into perishable things. God's Holy Spirit frequently convicts me when I put my hope in my career, in my finances, in my vacations and travel, or in my relationships. I won't find true peace and direction by pursuing those things over Jesus.
Fortunately, I have been able to separate my political convictions and thoughts on this country from my hope for the last several years. Just as I had to learn about 20 years ago not to put all my hope in my favorite sports teams, I had to learn several years ago not to fret when things don't go my way politically and not put all my hope in a political party or candidate.
That took a lot of introspection and prayer. What did I truly believe in?
Honestly, Donald Trump's rise in politics helped with this. His character is so blatantly horrid and despicable, I remembered thinking before the 2016 election, "I know he's the Republican candidate and has a few of the same political views that I have, but should I as a Christ-follower endorse this individual for a position of leadership?"
"Would Jesus even be a Republican or Democrat?"
"There are things both parties stand for that I know my Savior would not endorse."
I understand this is not a position of leadership within the church, but it is still a position that I believe to be important and should be reserved for those that lead with compassion, care, integrity, character, and selfless service. I cannot endorse someone who not only doesn't fit those qualities, but very clearly has demonstrated to be the exact opposite of these things.
Character matters!
I want my children and those I can influence for the Kingdom to see that character matters.
How can people believe that I truly follow a compassionate, slow to anger, loving, patient, kind, and servant leader like Jesus if I turn around and endorse someone who lives the complete opposite of that lifestyle?
I understand no one is perfect and a vote is not an endorsement of all the character traits that someone exhibits. I do get that, and I do love my brothers and sisters in Christ that have chosen to vote for Trump. I also love my brothers and sisters in Christ that have chosen to vote for Kamala Harris.
However, if I am being honest, I don't understand how I could come to a conclusion to vote for either one of these candidates based on the lies, lack of character, hate, and truthfully--complete incompetence that I've seen from both of them.
Back to the earlier question...
How can people believe that I truly follow a compassionate, slow to anger, loving, patient, kind, and servant leader like Jesus if I turn around and endorse someone who lives the complete opposite of that lifestyle?
I'm not necessarily talking about those Christians who have prayed through this and will quietly cast their vote believing they are doing what is best for our country and most of all, God-honoring.
I am talking about those who contribute to the division and discord, those who pridefully attach themselves to a candidate or a party, those who recklessly spread misinformation or sew seeds of dissent just to upset the other party, and yes, even those who unashamedly back the behavior of a person lacking character, justifying its how this person gets the job done best.
I've heard the lesser of two evils debate. I believe that shows a lack of trust. That is putting hope clearly in a political party.
I've heard the argument to ignore the character qualities and simply look at the issues each candidate stands on. Again, that's putting hope in policies and the political process.
I've heard the debate that voting for a third party is giving your vote away. Again, that's putting trust in man's logic and the political process over God.
How do you honor God with your vote?
That's the question I'd ask you.
Does it honor God to pick the lesser of two evils? By your definition you are still choosing evil.
Does it honor God to put trust in a person to lead our nation that lives a life of character completely opposed to the character of God?
Does it honor God to trust Him with our vote, even if this means we vote for a third party candidate that will very likely not win?
Does it honor God not to vote, because there are no candidates worth attaching our name to?
These are all questions I would challenge us to consider. No, I'm not telling you to not vote! However, I am encouraging you to consider that there are more important things than what we do with our ballot on November 5th. Some might say that the stakes are enormous for this election, perhaps more than any other election in our history.
I would challenge the more important thing at stake is the eternity of souls. This world needs the hope of the gospel, not a political faux savior.
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