His opponent is a liar, a cheater, hates America and all it stands for despite his thinly veiled claims to the contrary. If elected, he will usher in an era that, at best, will be the demise of America, probably will end democracy, and may be the final nail in the coffin for the globe.
More poignantly, one of them is going to watch out for me while the other is going to take all my stuff and give it to someone else - all the things I earned, all the things I deserve. And we all know that, core to the American Dream, is looking out for number one!
How do I know this? I watch TV, and I’ve heard the accusations that they and their supporters fling at each other. While I’m sure that this must be the case, I’m not sure which of them is pure evil and which one is pure altruism.
Now as I remove my tongue slightly from my cheek, let me ask a couple of questions. How did we get here? and why do we accept it? Contrary to conventional wisdom, I don’t think this is a new phenomenon. Politics have been pretty ugly since the beginning. However, I am concerned that our ADD, thirty-second-sound-bite world, has nearly eliminated the opportunity for civil discourse.
I thought I saw a moment in the current campaign when the two sides actually began to talk intelligently and respectfully about the issues. For a brief time I saw two men, who both love their country and believe they have a better plan and philosophy for governing, talking honestly about their differences. They honestly, accurately, and thoughtfully represented themselves and their opponent. Their different philosophies were clear, and for just a second I saw the chance to choose between two good, honest, men that love their country - two men that would be honored to give their lives in service to their country . . . to my country.
Then all the others voices started. They said that the civil discourse that I found so refreshing was boring, was weak, was tepid, and at their next meeting they both behaved like adolescent boys that would have been sent to their room without supper had I been their father. But it was too late; I had seen beyond the bluster, I believed in them, I trusted them, I liked them, and I’m committed to the notion that the winner will do what he honestly thinks is in the best interest of this nation.
So where’s the voter’s guide, and why is this in a church blog?
My Christian voter’s guide has two components:
First I refuse to think primarily of myself and my selfish interests as I go to the polling station. If there’s one thing that is clear throughout the Bible, it’s the notion that we are to place others before ourselves. A world in which we act based solely on our own pocketbook is a world that will not be fit for any of us to live in. So as I vote, I’m going to consider these questions: What's best for my kids? What's best for your kids? How do we preserve and expand the great concepts of this nation? Which path will give me the best opportunity to serve my country? my community? my friends? my enemies? Where do my selfish interests conflict with the country’s interests?
The second component is based on 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7. The chapter that has traditionally been a marriage guide is actually much more profound. It is a description of how God deals with us. It tells us that Love (God) is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonors others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Please hear the scripture here. This is a picture of how God relates to us. He keeps no record of our wrongs! He always protects us! He always trusts us! He always has hope in us! And he always perseveres. How different, how civil, would our discourse be if we looked at each other the way that God looks at us. I don’t know about you, but if the Holy God of the universe believes that much in me, a flawed selfish sinner, the least I can do is pass it along.
So this election cycle I’m going to choose to trust, to persevere, to hope, to stay calm, to protect, to love this country and it’s leaders - not because they deserve it, but because they deserve it as much as I do.
Please consider this guide, and go vote.
John Monday
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