Election '08 - HWJV??
Dave Johnston
Blog: September 6, 2008
Election ’08: HWJV??
I have a confession to make…I AM AN UNDECIDED VOTER…I have no idea who I am going to vote for!! Wow…it feels good to get that off my chest (confession IS good for the soul).
As a pastor people often assume that I have to vote a certain way because of the stance the candidates are taking on certain issues. But it is so complicated! As a student of the bible I am used to dealing with absolute truth. I like truth. I am comfortable with truth. But politics is not about truth…it is about opinions and ideas. There is very little black and white truth in politics that you can sink your teeth into. It is grey and messy. As a result…I am an undecided voter!!!
I watched both the DNC and the RNC on TV the last two weeks. At times they were painful (listening to Huckabee’s stirring parable about...furniture)…at times hilarious (Giuliani’s laugh lines making fun of Obama being a…”community organizer”…that’s going to come back to haunt him!)…and at times they were inspiring (listening to both Obama and Palin outline their parties dreams for our nation). After watching the DNC and the RNC I conclude that all four of these candidates love their country and sincerely believe that their ideas and plans are the best for the future of our nation.
After watching 10 hours of convention speeches I have no idea who I am going to vote for! I know Christians from both sides of the political spectrum who are absolutely convinced that their man (or woman) is God’s choice because of his/her stance on the war, poverty, justice, abortion, capital punishment, health care, etc. So, who should I vote for??
Here’s a better question that I have started to ask myself: HWJV…How would Jesus vote? If Jesus were a US citizen living today who would he vote for? Or…would he even vote (that’s an honest question that needs to be asked)? If we say that we are going to “vote our conscience” doesn’t it make sense to pray and ask God how we should vote?
My plan is to listen, read about the candidates and their ideas, try to understand the issues, and pray and ask God…HWJV…and how I should vote? I believe that God will show me!
One thing I know for sure…God wants me to pray for our nation, to pray for this election, and to pray for our national leaders. I can do that! You can do that! You might not know who to vote for, and you might even decide not to vote…but you can pray.
Paul writes in I Timothy 2:1-8:
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all… for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior... I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling”
I like the last line in the verse, “without anger or quarreling”. I don’t know many people who can have an honest and open discussion about their political views without getting angry and quarreling. What a shame. In fact, most people I know don’t even want to talk about politics! The issues are too important to just ignore.
Here is my challenge to you: I am an UNDECIDED VOTER. I will be blogging on this web site and sharing my ideas and opinions over the next two months before Election ’08. If you know whom you are going to vote for…please give me your feedback. Tell me whom you plan to vote for and why. Maybe God will use you to speak to me. I need help!!
HWJV??? How Would Jesus Vote? Ask Him and then do it!