As you know we are heavy into the heart of the political season. The gamesmanship has already begun. People from the right and the left have bunkered down for what appears to be one of the most ferice and explosive Presidential race in history. As a Christian and a parent who cares deeply about the future of our country I will watch with great attention hoping to be able to gather a few strands of truth amongst the myriad of lies and spin. My prayer is that God will speak to my heart about who He would have me to support and that I wouldn’t be too influenced by individuals who have biases and ulterior motives for who they endorse. I must admit it is becoming more and more difficult to find news that is fair and honest about either Obama or McCain. Don’t get me wrong we all have our own convictions and connections to one or the other Presidential candidate, myself included, but I feel that it is wrong and out of line when anyone deifies or demonizes the other party. This probably won’t sit well with some but the fact is over the last few months I have heard both Christian and Non-Christian, conservative and liberal, Democrat and Republican broadcasters alike say some of the most extreme, unfounded and inflammatory comments I’ve ever heard. Now it is not my job to critique non-Christians, but as a Pastor, I don’t think that it is responsible for anyone to imply that either McCain or Obama is the Messiah or Satan. The fact of the matter is that both individuals are mere men, who I believe, have sincere desires to see our nation do well albeit with completely different views on the direction our country needs to go in the future. I strongly agree with both men on certain issues and I strongly disagree with both men on certain issues. I don’t believe that you somehow have violated your faith by voting for either nominee as long as you have earnestly attempted to allow your convictions to govern your decision. The fact of the matter is that as Christians we are instructed in scripture to trust in the sovereignty of God concerning the selection of our leaders (Romans 13:1-3). This means God will appoint whomever he chooses, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t champion those causes that we feel are critical to the health of our families and communities, it simply means that we should not be so presumptuous that we proclaim whom God has anointed and whom he has condemned. The greatest question that I believe you and I need to wrestle with is, no matter what the result of the November 4th election is, what will we as Christians do on November 5th. If your candidate is elected I hope you don’t sit back and think the the Messiah is in office and he’ll take us to the promised land. And if the candidate you oppose is elected I hope you don’t withhold your prayers while showering him with criticism proclaiming him to be the anti-Christ. This is the type of foolish pettiness that limits progress and distracts believers from our primary calling as it pertains to our governmental leaders and that is to be there intercessors (1 Timothy 2:1,2). I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic or on the campaigns at large. God Bless!
