“Those who do not take an interest in public affairs are doomed to be ruled by evil men.” – Plato, 300 BC
I know. I know. Believe me, I know. It’s difficult to get excited about this year’s election.
The consistent theme I keep hearing is “I just don’t know what I’m going to do this year. I’m not all that eager about either side winning. I’m not even sure I’m going to vote this time around.”
I understand the absence of passion for this year’s crop of presidential hopefuls. But there is something lurking underneath this lack of enthusiasm for November 4th that concerns me.
Are Christ followers considering abandoning the political process altogether?
**God, I hope not (that was a prayer, not a use in vain. Promise.)**
Not that I don’t understand the temptation to throw up hands and say “forget about it.” I mean, seriously, how long are we going to have to put up with these men and women who seem to exist only to gain more power? Will there ever be a day when these people put the needs of people before their own desire for personal gain?
Does it even matter?
Why should I get involved?
Because you have to. Not you collective. You singular. You. The person on the other side of this blog entry.
You need to understand that every political decision ever made affects someone. And that trend will continue as long as this country is operated the way it is.
Politics affects people, families, communities, states, and countries. And on every level. And while it may be argued that the influence of the political process is completely out of control, the reality is what it is.
The men and women who govern the public affairs have a direct influence on you. And on me. And on us. They affect the ways we are taxed, are defended, are policed, are transported, and more. They make decisions every day that affect our roads, our homes, and our children’s education.
This is a big deal. And it isn’t just a big deal on the national level. This is a big deal on every level, down to your local zoning commission.
**An aside…shame on us if we know more about federal politics than we do about local and state. Local politics may not be as sexy, but they are certainly more important that the national stuff.**
Your involvement matters. Your voice matters.
You don’t have to be consumed. But you need to be aware.
You have the opportunity to place the stamp of your personal convictions on the matters of the day. Seize the opportunity!
One Comment
Wouldn’t it be crazy if we shouldn’t vote to make the world a better place, what if God wanted us to vote to display our “Holy Spirit-inspired convictions”. It is actually probably better for the Kingdom of God if the world does NOT get better. We’re in a fallen world, and the more fallen it becomes, the more God is glorified. Of course that’s not very comfy for us living in it. Did Jesus say, “ok, now go make earth like heaven”? We should get hotter and pray that the warm people get colder. We shouldn’t have the idealistic mindset to make the world more like heaven. We should become more like Christ while the world becomes more like Satan. Maybe that’s why Jesus wasn’t very political, he knew that changing the government wasn’t very important and was possibly counterproductive to the Kingdom purposes. But don’t get me wrong, we do have a part. We need to be salt and light. Vote, but don’t vote to put lipstick on a pig, vote to be salt and light.