Before You Cast Your Vote

I have avoided writing an election-oriented post like the plague.

I hate politics.

There, I said it. I loathe the clawing and climbing to get ahead, the plastic smiles and condescending grins. On every side of the table there is dishonesty and smoke being blown so strong it just might choke the entire country.

But it’s not just politics in government that I despise. I can’t handle politics in business, life or relationships either.

Why can’t we all just get along? Agree to disagree? Live life with quiet conviction?

My hope is that by the end of this post you’ll still have no idea who I voted for this year {Yes, I voted early. I’m so patriotic}. Frankly, it’s none of your bees wax who I hope is elected to office this month. You knowing who I want for president will not change who you want and ultimately who actually gets elected. Sure, there are those that still believe if they can change the minds of those around them they can win this thing. But our government does not operate that way. Even if you converted each one of your 752 Facebook friends with your latest political someecard, it wouldn’t make a dent in the cause for your candidate. So how then shall we live in this season of politics?

Jenevieve shared a wonderful post the other day about what she hopes to teach her kids about politics with several scriptures highlighting what the Bible has to say on the subject. At the end of her post she asked, “What do you want to teach your children about politics?” And my answer was this – I want to teach my children (as I learn myself) to allow their life to speak louder than their mouth. I want to teach them to fiercely but quietly hold on to their convictions. . .to know what they believe and why they believe it but not feel as though they need to vocalize those beliefs at every turn. And then, to trust the God of the universe. With everything.

At some point in our society (perhaps it was with the invention of social media, perhaps with the invention of the church) we came to believe that we had to desperately try to convert every person in our path to our belief system. While I believe in the great commission, I think we’re going about it all wrong. No one can argue the fact that Jesus was a man of true conviction (after all, he is the way, the truth and the life) but most of the time, his life quietly spoke what he believed. When encountered with a question that begged debate, he – more often than not – spoke gently but firmly. Since he is the truth, I believe he is the best example of how to deliver the truth.

Think about it with me for a moment. Our best example of how to deliver the truth comes from Christ, who was and is the truth. Yet we think we, in all our humanity, know so well what is right for our country that we shout it with sure confidence. The fact is. . .I voted for the man I felt in my gut was the best man for the job. I used my limited knowledge and understanding, along with Holy Spirit leading to come to that decision. My fellow, God-fearing friend used the same process to make his determination but guess what? He’s voting for the other guy. What the what?!?!

Tomorrow is sure to be a day full of heated news reports and water-cooler discussions. Let’s choose to allow our peace-filled spirit to speak louder than our words to encourage the world that HE’s got this. He knows now who will win the presidency less than 48 hours from now – and he’s known since the beginning of time. {Romans 13:1} The outcome may not be what we think is best. . .it may not even be what God knows would be best. But he places all rulers and leaders into authority so he must have a purpose. Let’s vote based on the conviction of our heart and leave the rest to him.

I love this quote from St. Francis of Assisi. I think it applies in both politics and life.

Preach the gospel always. When necessary, use words. St. Francis of Assisi

This is what I want my life to be about. Because there’s always more to the story than is being told with our words.

Take a moment to stop before you cast your vote. What has your political position said about you, even without uttering a word? Could your cause be more effective if you walked through life with quiet conviction, allowing your actions and your spirit rather than your mouth to express your passions?

{Photo via Creative Commons}