Remembering that Part I of the elections blog revolved around our elected officials, it is only fair and proper that we now address ourselves – the voters. It is quite interesting that one of the characteristics and indeed definitions of a free society is one in which the people have the right to choose their leaders/officials and vote in regards to many issues.
We have all heard the stories and seen the interviews of people who have come out of oppressive regimes and countries with dictators. They rejoice in the freedom to vote, and many have tears in their eyes when they think of their liberty in the USA. Regardless of your view on the war in Iraq, seeing the people enjoying the right to vote should certainly inspire a warm feeling of accomplishment. Many of these new voters shake their heads in disbelief on how unconcerned many in our country are regarding the right to vote.
Certainly we know the many excuses we can come up with for not voting. Of course the all time favorite is: It is just one vote – what does that matter anyway and what difference would it make? We have probably all thought that at some point in our lives – especially if we have gotten frustrated with some of the results. For starters though (just to get your blood going), picture the scene of someone coming to your home and letting you know (verbally and in writing) that you will no longer be allowed to vote. Perhaps it is because you have been so apathetic in the past, the whole process is just too much trouble, or this new law was just passed – and what difference would your one vote make anyway? I can imagine your reaction – you didn’t punch that guy did you or turn your dog on him? In some way, I believe you will let the appropriate people know that you have the right to vote and you intend to prove it.
Remember, no one that we vote for is perfect; they will all make mistakes just like we would if we held an office. To some degree, I feel like the person who said: I vote for the candidate who will do the least damage to the country, the state, or the county. That may be a little cynical, but if the list of choices dictates, it may be the way to go in some elections.
But back to our argument that it is only one vote that has little consequence. Let us first analyze that from a Biblical point of view. From this view, we must conclude that a vote is more that just a flip of a switch, or tapping a panel that eventually will be counted as one vote. The Bible teaches us that everything we do is just like a seed – and our vote is no different.
How many of us have prayed to God about our elections or our elected officials? If I was one who did not vote (and essentially did nothing); I certainly would not want God to call me on it.
What would I think if God responded: I am going to do nothing just like you did – Mr. Lazy! Wow - I have indeed reaped what I have sown.
In our society, we can see that it has not taken long for the “I see no need in voting” mentality to bear fruit. A father just decides not to vote. His wife and children see that and decide to do the same. The people they associate with begin to do the same, and it begins to spread indeed like seeds blowing in the wind. Thus we see the miserable percentage of voters in our land.
Turn that around the other way and let us all not only sow our seed, but be very careful about the seed we sow. I Corinthians 3:9 says we are laborers together with God. Have you been doing your part lately? You folks that are parents - which of these do you like to see in your child who is about 17 years old:
This child (he or she) is diligent. He is a go-getter yet careful about what he does. He is always looking to do something for you and the household. He sometimes makes a mistake, but he is doing the best he can and would never want to bring a reproach on the family name. He is looking at life the same way, as he knows the time will come when he will leave the household and have a family on his own.
This child (he or she) has little motivation other than to say: Let mom and dad take care of it – after all this is your house and he did not ask to be born. He has his own life that is completely separate from yours. He only hangs out with his crowd, has no clue what he is going to do in life, “his room” (in the afore mentioned “your house”) is waiting for mom or dad to clean it, yet he has the best set of headphones available so the sound of mom’s vacuum wont drown out the latest hip-hop tune that is often heard throbbin’ the walls.
All things being equal and if we see little change, we know #1 is sowing some good seed with some good results likely, while #2 is sowing seeds, as well, and the harvest will likely produce a professional bum. This is certainly a generalization (perhaps stretched somewhat), but the principles used are sound.
Now, if you have difficulty grasping the Biblical principle or think this is a stretch of the scriptures, let us look at it from a purely natural perspective.
Rather than saying everything we say and do is a seed, we could contend that everything we say or do produces or extends influence in the lives of others. Each time our lives come in contact with others, we impact them with some level of influence.
Let’s take our issue of voting again. If the tracking people see the majority of the Christian people are not voting, they will note that the Christian people are not having any voting influence on the people who are being elected. What they might deduce is that the non-voting Christian may be influencing the Christian who is voting. Which will have the most influence in your life?
Now let’s turn this around. Suppose the person you vote for is elected. Consider the influence this one official will have in that office (depending on the position they hold). This person will make decisions, he will hire, bring in, and appoint others in positions, and he will speak before untold numbers and groups – he has a public platform for his words and actions. Yes, because of a vote, this person will have influence that has increased exponentially over yours (just this one person). Further, each person in his sphere of influence will go out and do the same thing. This paints a vivid picture of why our country looks like it does today.
So whether you wish to call it sowing seed or extending influence, people are constantly doing it. Remember from the Bible, Jesus talked about wheat and tares. Both come from seeds. Remember our thoughts regarding influence, each of our teenagers above were influenced by a particular set of values. We certainly know that there is good influence and bad influence – remember in school, the good crowd and the bad crowd.
So I hope at least this blog will cause you to look at voting in a little different light – especially if you were one of those who looked at “vote” as another 4-letter word.
A special word for us who claim to be Christians: If we believe God will hold elected leaders accountable, we should also believe He will hold us accountable for the way we vote.
Warning: You can claim the Name of Christ with your lips and yet vote like a heathen – have you seen any of that lately? Thus, I would pray that at least we would show God that we care about how we vote and are thankful for the right to do it.
