Health & Fitness
Kingdom Mentality: To Vote or Not To Vote?
Today happens to be the first Tuesday in November during an election year here in Bethel. The open grass on the sides of our streets are littered with the signs of the candidates, each vying for our attention and support. Front yards of private citizens are used as sounding boards for candidates of all stripes.
There is an air of excitement and new possibilities, and sites such as Patch are full of opinions and commentaries regarding the course of action our little town should take. I am watching it all with a mixture of mild amusement and legitimate concern, because while I myself bow to a theocracy through King Jesus, I am also very much aware that life this side of Heaven has secular demands that need attending to. Taxes, mil rates, road work, commerce, etc., all are a part of said secular living.
I learned early on in my covenantal walk with Christ that it profits me nothing to be "so Heavenly-minded that I am no earthly good". Saying this, I walk in two worlds: the spiritual and the secular. When elections roll around, be they local, State, or National, I do my best to pay attention and to foment a proper voting response, knowing that in The Big Picture it is irrelevant, but also knowing I am existing in this small portion of said Big Picture. Like I said, it is a mixture.
Of Jesus it is said that the government rests upon His shoulders. Kingdom life is governmental in nature, and The Kingdom is likewise. We have a King, a ruler, a Savior who has a station and a position that shapes our very existence as sons of God, and in whom no wickedness is to be found and whose will is flawless and perfect. The same cannot be said for man's politics.
So when it comes time to cast a vote, knowing the course of history as it pertains to our small town will be directly affected, how do we know we are voting the correct way? Well, we don't. All we can do is consider the secular aspects of this election season, balancing them against the here and now, and trusting in our God and Father to see us through to the other side of the decisions we make.
Should Christians vote? Should Christians not vote? Should Christians rest in the Sovereignty of God and let what will happen simply happen and know it is the will of our Father and not vote, or should we be pro-active and believe we can be incorporated in determining said destiny and vote?
Yes and Yes.
I vote because I can. However, I also fully rely upon the wisdom and Sovereignty of God that tells me no matter what the final tally is, He will be there to carry me through. No matter who wins these elections, all of the different ones involved, I know that God our Father is well aware and will not leave us or abandon us.
Simple.
So vote your conscience, vote your heart, vote your spirit. For us as sons of God, it is always a win-win situation, since God our Father holds it all in His hand.
Tomorrow morning, after the dust is settled and elected officials have been determined, God is still going to be our Father, Jesus is still going to be our King, and The Spirit will still welcome us as we awaken to a new day that He has brought.