Today is an important day in the exercise of our rights within the political system of this country. Today we have the opportunity to cast our ballot for the candidates we each feel will best represent our interests. In some ways it is a referendum on past behavior of certain candidates and their affiliates but, more importantly, it is an act of faith that the system will enable those who are most capable of representing us the opportunity to do so for a time.
It is extremely difficult for the average person to see through the smokescreen of political rhetoric and malignment of character that is common to elections. We have been bombarded by political advertisements and biased commentary by so-called neutral media for many months in an attempt to sway our votes to the candidates who seek offices. How can one know what is true and what is untrue in such an environment?
Many voters are "single issue" voters. Their voting preference is based on one or two key issues such as abortion, same-sex rights, immigration, or some other "hot button" topic. I have heard and seen many Christians take the stance that no candidate who opposes the "right to life of the unborn" should receive the vote of a Christian. I understand that position, but I also know that no candidate is perfect and in God's eyes, one sin is no different than another. His Word is quite clear that "none is righteous, no, not one." It is incumbent on each of us to form an opinion on things that are important and to look at the record as well as the rhetoric of each candidate and essentially, tally the check marks in each column (weighted possibly based on importance to you) and make choices based on the sum of those marks, rather than using a single litmus test as the point of decision.
At times I wonder if it is in the best interest of all to encourage those who are not well informed to stay home and not vote but, the reality is that no one is truly informed. If that were the case, I would not vote because no one knows the heart of the candidates, or how they will behave in the future except God.
When it comes down to it, we must trust God for the results. I would encourage each of you to pray for enlightenment as you cast your ballot and pray that God will allow those individuals whom He would choose to attain the offices they seek.
