Vote Tomorrow

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. --Proverbs 28:2

Tomorrow is a big election day in Maryland. We have the opportunity to vote for our governor as well as many other state and national officials. I was raised to believe that voting is not only a privilege of living in a free, democratic nation--a privilege that many Americans take for granted--but also a civic duty. Even beyond a civic duty, however, I also believe that we Christians have a moral and spiritual responsibility to vote for leaders who uphold the principles on which our nation was founded and on which we ourselves rest each night.

Voting for wise, moral leaders is an ongoing responsibility that neither begins nor ends on election day. Come election day, we should not blindly check off boxes based strictly on party affiliation. As citizens and Christians, we have a responsibilty to educate ourselves about each candidate before we enter the polling place so that we can make informed choices. We act foolishly if we judge candidate only on party line or on claimed religious preferences. We shouldn't naively take anyone at their word, we should look for the fruit before making a choice (Galatians 5:22-23). If we hope our for our nation to remain under God's blessing, then we need to select leaders who we think best represent God's standards in action (not just in word).

We also must remember that regardless of the outcome of the election, our duty to our community, state, and nation continues beyond election day. We are commanded to pray for all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2) on an ongoing basis, even if the leaders aren't those who we ourselves would have preferred. We are given this command for our sake and for the sake of our children whose future truly depends on the wisdom of our leaders and the stability of our government at every level. Don't take your responsibility lightly. Pray for discernment, read up on each candidate, and vote tomorrow.

Posted by Kim at November 6, 2006 09:46 AM