An Election Day To-Do List for Christians
A staggering number of people all across the country have already voted, but there is still something special about “the day.” That day–the day of the general election in the United States of America–now stands less than a week away.
For weeks and months, we have been wearied by news coverage and social media posts about it. Christians have commented on posts, shared their views, read articles, watched coverage, and tried to think through how to vote.
But, let’s be honest, not everything that Christians have said and done leading up to the election has been reflective of people of faith. Sometimes their tone has been dismissive or even mean. They have gotten into Facebook and Twitter comment wars that do nothing to advance the cause of Christ. It isn’t always pretty, to say the least.
So, as we come to the final days, let me offer a to-do list for Christians when election day finally arrives.
- Pray. And I do not mean to just pray for “your person” to win. Pray for peace. Pray for the candidates, thanking God that we still have people willing to run at all through all the craziness our nation heaps upon them. Pray for those who are charged with counting and certifying votes. There is so much more to pray for than just a win or loss by a candidate.
- Steward Your Vote. This is far more than just “voting your conscience.” We must get back to the idea that anything we have is something that is to be stewarded (managed) to the glory of God. When you vote, it is as if you are doing so as God’s representative in that booth–because you are God’s representative there! That means you are going to think about it and do your best to vote for candidates in all levels of government who you think best represent Godly principles.
- Do Not Live on Social Media. Of all days, if on election day you choose to mindlessly scroll through Twitter or Facebook, you will be tempted to have attitudes that are unbecoming of a Christian and you will likely share or say something that is not helpful to the work of the Lord, also.
- Remember That God is In Control. You may think that “this” candidate or “that” one is the best choice for you to make as a Christian (and you should vote accordingly), but God has used people of all stripes throughout history to accomplish His will. All we see is the past and today; He knows the future, as well. We need to trust that, no matter who is victorious, God can and will use that person to accomplish His unfolding story of history.
- Honor the Winner. Even if you didn’t vote for the person who wins, do not take the opportunity to speak about how this is the “end of America” or some other such massive pronouncement. Scripture demands Christians to “honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17). Knowing that either Donald Trump or Joe Biden will be President in January, it gives us time to start that honor now and not to tear either down.
- Thank the Loser. Can you imagine what it must be like to lose a Presidential election? It has to be more than a shot to your ego; it has to be deflating in every way. The one who does not win deserves our thanks for being willing to run and for giving us a vision of the country, whether or not we agree with it.
- Start Mending Relationships. Is it not possible that, over the past few weeks and months, you have said somethings–either in person or via social media–that have caused hurt feelings, and it was not over Gospel matters, but over politics? Maybe you should reach out to someone and apologize and offer to speak, and do so before you know whether “your person” won or lost. Let them know that you are sorry and that you realize that there are bigger things than just an election–as big as that might be.
I am grateful to live in America and I am amazed that we still have free elections. Election day, to me, is a reminder of how blessed this nation is. But it is also an opportunity for Christians to win or lose influence–not necessarily by which candidate wins the election, but by how we act on that day.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
