I’ve been eligible to vote for thirty-two years now. In that time, I’ve drifted through many phases:

  • I’m young. I don’t care about this.
  • It’s the end of the world!
  • I don’t like either candidate. I’m not voting.
  • This is an important decision for our country’s future.

This year is different. The stakes seem so much higher. Both sides think the other is destroying our way of life. Both sides believe the outcome of this election will make or break our nation. Both sides hope their candidates will fix things.

When I pray about this election, the Lord doesn’t speak to me about politics at all. Instead, he reminds me that our issues are carnal, and our nation’s needs are spiritual. No earthly ruler can solve our problems. Only a heavenly king can.

I fear we, God’s children, have forgotten where our hope lies. We await the election of men, who will pass laws to make this country better. Laws can change our actions, but they cannot change the heart. Only Christ can.

I’ve witnessed believers spend more time arguing about this election than they have spent discussing their faith. This concerns me because it seems our Christian vision has skewed. We’ve become ambassadors for our issues instead of ambassadors for Christ. (2 Cor 5:20)

Don’t misunderstand me. Living in the best government system the world offers gives us the privilege of voting. We should honor that privilege. But, we shouldn’t confuse the election with the source of true hope for our nation.

“For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:19

This verse talks about grace versus God’s law, but I think it applies to this election, as well.

Now, I’m in a new election phase: Vote my conscience and go about my life. Regardless of who is elected, I have a heavenly king who reigns over all. My cause is Christ and him crucified.