A Different Political Rant

  • Emily
  • Nov 7, 2012

After months of ads, phone calls, and internet updates, the elections are finally over. Some people are thrilled and feeling hopeful about the results, while others are either disappointed, fearful, and sad or standing strong despite their loss. If you know me, you probably know which “side” I’m on. Eventually, just like the ads, phone calls, and internet updates, the emotional high will wear down until four years from now, when it all begins again.

I am dreading four years from now, and it has nothing to do with politics. I can’t stand politics. (This isn’t anything new to some of you.) The reason I despise politics is because of what it does to people.

Suddenly, almost everyone has a portable soap box that they carry with them wherever they go, ready to set it up, step up on it, and start talking about their opinions. They put it up in classrooms, on Facebook and Twitter, over the lunch meal with family and friends. Democrat or Republican. Man or woman. Voting age or not. Some people may be deserving of this box, but then there are the Christians who never say much about their faith and are suddenly faithful preachers. There are those who never investigate politics that overnight become politicians. Friends become enemies. Love becomes just a word as arguments spew and/or obsession over the race takes time away. Instead of loving the person next to them by talking with them or simply spending time with them, they either have their eyes glued to the latest debates/results or are arguing their standpoint. They don’t realize that the results will be there tomorrow, but those moments won’t be.

Passionless people become passionate, ready to share their opinion, when the truth is the people they’re directing it towards are about as likely to change their mind as the candidate himself is. It is like a sports game. The two sides are cheering with everything they have for the other side. Ignoring their own team’s faults and mistakes, they shout words of hate and promises of defeat to the opposing side. How likely is it that any person is going to say, “My team really isn’t the best team to be supporting here,” and walk across the battlefield to the other side? No amount of convincing, on or off the field, is going to change that person’s loyalty to their team, and any “discussion” just goes in circles. The independents are rare, but almost never do you see the discussions happening with them, where it makes sense.

After the election is over, the heat finally begins to cool down, but many Christians are not placing their hope where they should. With a God that is all-powerful, all-good, and all-wise, how is it possible that any of us that claim to follow Him are angry or have despair? Or, on the other end, how is it that any have pride or hope in the future because of a candidate? God has directed every small event, and in the span of all eternity, this election is small. Remember that God created the world? That Jesus came, died, and rose again as the King of all? That He went to Heaven and promises to return? So why does anyone have anger towards the election of a country, or that they are putting their pride and hope in a fallible human? Do they not believe that God has a plan and that He is above any earthly ruler? “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me…'” (Matthew 28:18)

I’m not saying I haven’t done anything in this post. Even this morning, when I woke up and saw the results, I dwelled on thoughts and emotions I shouldn’t have. I’m not going to say who I voted for for the sake of making a point here, because it doesn’t matter. Either side can have error in their reactions. And it makes me so sad and angry that something earthly like politics makes people act in these ways. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator to the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)

Because of all this, I’m relieved that it is all coming to an end. I hope that no one destroyed friendships or nurtured anger towards even their opposing candidate. I hope that the Christian passion some revived during this time was genuine and lasts, affecting more than their stand on election day. I hope that four years from now, we all take a different stand altogether: that God is King, that our vote does matter to Him and we should carefully consider what we do with that privilege, but in the end, God’s will will be done.

I Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…

Emily

Twenty-something-year-old vagabond making my way home. I write from the midwest on the coast of Lake Michigan about life lessons, my failures, and what God reveals to me through His word and the wise people He’s placed in my life.

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