How Should Christians Vote?
Hello hot topic: Politics in America.
Hot. Topic.
Is your FB feed full of political posts, jokes, memes, rants? Mine sure is. They make me laugh, cry, and feel crazy.
Some amazing godly people say there isn't a good option so they are not going to vote. Some other amazing godly people have incredibly strong and passionate reasons why they are choosing a particular candidate. And either way, I'm upset.
This whole thing feels like a circus. And no matter who wins the popularity contest based on weird sound bytes the election, the future looks weird and quite scary from where I'm standing. How about you?
Now, know this: I really admire my smart political friends. I really enjoy hearing their viewpoints. I've been seeking out and asking these friends who they are voting for and why. And they all give me great information. What I hear them saying is: "I want to live in a country that is good, and I think “this” candidate will help to get us there."
And I hear their reasons and I deeply respect their vision for the country. But it still all leaves me with a feeling deep in my gut, of... "something's not right with all this..."
And It’s all made me think a LOT about Jesus, America, and Politics. Here are some of the thoughts I've been mulling over:
Yahweh doesn't talk about modern, western elections in the Bible. Bummer. I much prefer it when tricky things are spelled out in the Word of God.
Jesus was a radical who existed outside the political system. I can’t help but wonder if He would even participate and vote in this modern system?!
The people were expecting a triumphant King, but they got a crucified Savior. Am I expecting the Kingdom of God to be triumphant and dominant in this country in ways that aren't God's plan?
The right to vote is an INCREDIBLE opportunity. There are millions of people in this world who will never get that chance. When possible, I want to embrace the opportunity to vote. At the same time, voting is not Biblically prescribed. (Although praying for government leaders is…)
God often, if not always, uses surprising, not-great people in powerful ways. Am I able to see Him moving in surprising, not-great people? Am I ok that it seems to be His preferred way of doing things?
… And one million other thoughts that all lead to this:
Jesus-followers are not to vote like the world does. We are different.
We are utterly different.
We, children of Yahweh… We, full of His Holy Spirit… We, who hear His Voice and obey… We should vote Prophetically.
What does this mean: “Vote prophetically?”
It means we don’t vote according to tradition.
Not according to issues.
Not according to party.
Not according to our own wisdom.
Not according to “godliness” of candidates. (I hate this.)
Not according to our FEARS.
Not according to our educated thoughts.
Not according to our passions.
Not according to our wants.
Not according to our desired comforts.
Not according to “preserving the godliness of America.”
Not according to history.
Not according to the kind of future we want.
None of those things can factor into our voting. There is only one thing that should determine how we vote: We are people who hear the Voice of God and we choose to surrender our own biases to obey Him.
Because, even with our best efforts to choose a “good” and “godly” candidate, we could end up missing His Will.
Here's the truth: God's greatest desire isn't for this nation to be led by a godly leader. God's greatest desire is for the world to know Him. And in order for people to come to know Him... well... it could involve... not the comfortable life that has come from the godly roots of this modern country. It could involve... things falling apart.
I'm not saying it is. I'm just saying, what if? Are we poised and surrendered to Him? Are we asking Him to speak a Prophetic Word about the future? Are we ready to hear Him?
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)
“Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go, whether to the right or to the left." (Isaiah 30:21 NLT)
Oh friends, can we surrender our thoughts and wisdom to hear God lead us wherever He takes us? Are we brave enough to listen to His soft Voice and hear what we would consider "the worst?" Are we brave enough to join that plan and vote for His choice? Are we brave enough to pray, pray, pray for the President like His Word says to? (1 Tim 2:1-2)
The Bible has it written out: the future involves a huge decline and debasement in humanity. The future involves ungodly leaders and sinful directions. And in order for this world to end and the next life to come… those things will happen.
So… what if it’s time… what if God wants a different President than our own wisdom and sensibilities would choose?
Are we able to hear God and vote for the “other candidate” if it’s who God says He wants for the next season?
My dear Conservatives, My dear Liberals, My dear Moderates:
My dear friends: What if God says to vote opposite to your wisdom? Or, what if God says to vote for someone you deeply hate or fear? Or, what if God says not to vote at all?
My dear BODY OF CHRIST: What if God wants to turn this world upside down?
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all." Proverbs 3:5-7a (MSG)
Here's the thing: It’s not about this.
It’s not about voting. It’s not about politics. It’s not about choosing the next leader of the United States of America.
None of that really matters. God will do what God will do with or without us.
This is just another opportunity to discover more of Yahweh and to practice hearing and following Him..
- - -
So I'm asking you and myself too: Will we use this election as a reason to dig into His Presence and give up our wants and Hear Him?
Will we grab this opportunity to be "less of me and more of Him?" (John 3:30)
Will we do what Jesus did? “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does." (John 5:19 NLT)
Because if we’re not willing to listen and obey Him in this… how can He trust us with bigger and more important things?
I hear you: What could possibly be bigger and more important than choosing the next President of the USA?
Well, in the Kingdom of God, there are a lot more important things. Like, the people in your life knowing Him. Like, your home being a place of Love. Like, your neighborhood and workplace being your mission field. You have been placed in life with them and the Holy Spirit wants to empower you to minister to them. But the timing and actions of ministering to people are delicate and sensitive. We have to be able to hear God's Voice to really know what to do and when to do it.
These "little" things of our everyday lives are more important than the grand once-every-four-years things. Right?!
This is the call to the Body of Christ:
Will we choose to humble our opinions and wisdom and experience and intelligence… and simply listen and obey Him?
The Election is a good excuse to practice hearing the Prophetic Voice of God. And practice obeying Him in hard things.
Isn't it?!
So let's pray and listen... so we can vote... and do all the little things we do today too.
