Like many during this election season, I have found myself vexed or vexing about voting. Perhaps fixating or obsessing are better words. Regardless, it hasn’t been a good thing. Everyone seems to agree that their candidate is bad, but the other would be even worse and voting for anyone else is also bad (and so on and so forth).
Truly, this has been the most divisive campaign season I’ve ever witnessed. Long ago, the issues, ideas and content of the various platforms have taken a back seat to style and popularity. This election has taken this tendency to new heights and the chief modus operandi has become the well-timed insult. Sadly, many of us have gotten caught up in this fray and are taking part in it. Our conversations reflect this and our posts on social media reflect this as well. Many of us are so fixated and obsessed with this election cycle, we have become like the very politicians we claim to abhor. For the follower of Christ, this is simply unacceptable.
How do we change this? How do we refocus? How can we see past the smoke and mirrors to stay focused on our main tasks, i.e., becoming like Christ in His character and in His mission.
In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul gives us a look at how we should live in this world. Much of this chapter reminds me of what Christ told us in The Sermon On The Mount, but in verse 2 he commands, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
In Philippians 4:4-8, Paul goes on to tell us, “Rejoice in the Lord always [even if my candidate doesn’t win the presidency]; again I will say, rejoice [yes… even if America as we know it comes to an end]. 5 Let your reasonableness [not our political obsessions] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything [really… anything], but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God [not to our friends on Facebook]. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about [literally: meditate or let your mind dwell on] these things.”
In this election cycle or with politics in general, is there much that is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, or commendable?
Let’s ask ourselves the question: In this election cycle or with politics in general, is there much that is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, or commendable? If your answer is yes, than by all means – think about it, obsess or fixate on it, let your mind dwell on it. But if you can’t find these qualities on the 6 o’clock news, than let’s find other things on which to think.
Eric Yodis 
So who will receive your vote? Need we read between the lines? To not vote is a vote for further disaster. Even the fish (a fish) in the Sea of Galilee was a mouth piece to convey the responsibility of the citizen to the government of the hour. Someone quoted C.S. Lewis as having said that between two evils one can be found to be less evil than the other. Certainly that is the case we have before us and for the Christian the choice seems to be very clear
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Thank you Glenn for your input. The point of the article is not “don’t vote”, “don’t care” or “don’t get involved.” What I’m suggesting is that we don’t fixate or obsess and in doing so, become like the politicians we abhor. Rather let us stay focused on our main tasks, which are becoming like Christ in His character and in his mission.
There is no need to read between the lines. Actually, I’m not really good at writing between the lines. In the prayer letter that pointed you to this page, I tried to be clear that our thoughts were in line with those who have given us such great advice as you yourselves have. Telling you how to vote or to vote would have simply been preaching to the choir. Forgive me if my letter failed to be clear enough and thanks for being diligent and thoughtful in responding.
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