Do Election Results Really Matter?

Panties

Now before you get your panties in a bunch, I am not saying elections are not important or that we should not be involved in the political process.   In our country, that is a civic duty (Hee Hee … he said duty) and must be taken seriously. But … How much do the election results really matter? Are societal changes going to come through politics or through relationships?

My point is that I have a higher call than that, if I take seriously and pour my passion into, will make a bigger impact on society than anything that our government will be able to accomplish. I have a responsibility to my neighbor that is significantly more important and exponentially more effective than what happened in that voting booth yesterday.

  • I could get to know my neighbor. Yes, even if they are not like me #samaritans,  do not share my values #greeks, or are not even legal #aliens #mothman.
  • What could happen if I get to know my neighbor?
  • I might just start to like them or at least understand them. I might be able to meet a need or point them in the right direction.
  • They might even impact me and change me.
  • We might even have a relationship that could grow into a friendship.

And what if you did the same thing with your neighbor? Could it be more effective over the next and a better investment than $460 million dollars in attack ads?   What if our government reflected a nation of people who cared about each other instead of  a nation that is concerned about gaining and maintaining “my rights.?”

Some of you may be celebrating today the outcome of the elections and ecstatic that your guys are gaining power. “Finally, we can get something done and get this country moving in the right direction”

Some of you are angry, frustrated, or  saddened that those guys will stop all the progress that has been made.  “Can’t they see that we were on the brink of something great!”

There is no cause for celebrating.  The hearts that have brought us to this point have not been changed and an election is not going to suddenly make us a “moral” nation.  There is also no reason for anger, frustration, or even sadness.  The opportunity we had to touch the hearts of those around is the same today as it was yesterday.

Greed, bigotry, violence, family values, work ethic, fairness, equality, freedom, liberty … whatever you see as the foundational ills of our society are not going to be changed through legislation.

“Governments can do lots of things, but there are a lot of things they cannot do. A government can pass good laws, but no law can change a human heart. Only God can do that. A government can provide good housing, but folks can have a house without having a home. We can keep people breathing with good health care, but they still may not really be alive. The work of community, love, reconciliation, restoration is the work we cannot leave up to politicians. This is the work we are all called to do. We can’t wait on politicians to change the world. We can’t wait on governments to legislate love. And we don’t let policies define how we treat people; how we treat people shapes our policies.” – See more at: http://www.redletterchristians.org/election-day-dialog-political/#sthash.6EqxV5sr.dpuf

I will admit … I straddle the political line.  I know my heart and see how little I have done to change my world.  I am getting old, but it is not too late to make a difference. There is still hope, but that hope is not in political … it is personal.

Last night, a FB friend posted a picture with a question.  I will copy it here for you with my answer.

JFK Responsibility FB

Will you step up and be the great men and great women that will lead us to  something great or will you leave it to people who to others that you do not even really know?  Will you answer take up the responsibility that is yours to love your neighbor, or will you allow defeat to answer the call with cynicism and rob you of a victory and the joy that only comes through serving?

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give upSo then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:7-10)

 

 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
 
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence. (Prov 3:27-32)
“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (Prov 26:12)

2 comments

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *