This week, millions of Americans across the county are exercising our freedom to engage in the political process. I, like many of you, am frankly ready for this political season to come to a close. I am tired of seeing the mean political ads, the ugly comments made to people who disagree with one another, and the constant negativity that seems to be bombarding us.
However, before this political season comes to a close, I want to share just a couple of my thoughts on our responsibility as Christians in all of this. (And before you scroll past this, no I am not telling anyone who to vote for, how to vote, or what I think about any candidates for any office).
I believe that, as Christians, we have certain duties when it comes to making political decisions or action in our communities. These duties are not just my ideas, but come from our Bible and are given to us by God. Time and time again, when we read through scripture we find there are three main themes that God brings up commanding His people to do. In Hebrew, these words are mishpat, hesed, and tsedekah. Translated, mishpat roughly means “justice”. Hesed means “loving-kindness”, or is sometimes is translated as “mercy”. Finally, tsedekah means “righteousness”.
We find God commanding us to carry all three of these duties out in our communities in Micah 6:8, saying, “He has told you, O Mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (NIV) This is what God requires of us. Sometimes, when we begin to carry out these duties it will actually require sacrificing what will bring us the most personal gain in order to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth.
When you go to vote this week, remember these duties. Whether you are voting for a school bond issue, a state question, or a presidential candidate, make sure these duties of justice, righteousness, and mercy are part of your thought process and decision making.
“God of heaven and earth, we pray for your wisdom in our decision making, your strength for our leaders, and your grace for us all. Inspire us daily to carry out the duties you have given to us so that your Kingdom might come, and your will might be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
