This year I moved from a bright blue state to a deep red state. I think I’m some other shade entirely. I have always voted, and at times felt my vote didn’t really matter. In Tennessee, there were really only two choices. There were Green Party and Independent candidates on the ballot, and though you could write in candidates, they would not count. I’m grateful for our process, but I maintain it’s a strange one.
I voted today, though it’s not like it mattered. My county and state are overwhelmingly partisan, and I am not. But I voted. I voted on matters of principal. I voted because oppressed people all over the world cannot. I voted for those who lived, fought and died to win and protect our right to these freedoms. I voted so I could teach my children and show them how to live responsibly by example.
It's nothing new. I felt it at work before and now just about everywhere I go. People speak their opinions as fact, loudly, with every expectation that everyone within earshot either agrees with them or is an idiot. I have found this especially true of my fellow faithful who quote scripture as if it was spoken for such a time as this—to defend an American’s presidential choice. So much of the dialogue is devoid of disagreement or completely lacking of any kind of decorum, grace, or respect. I don’t like arguing for the sake of arguing, especially when I’ve just met all these people. But it’s strange to feel so disconnected from so much of the country.
I’ve said it before: I’ve never understood how a Christian could be overly elated or dismayed by the outcome of any election. Our God is in control, our Jesus is the only one who saves. I hope, win or lose, that we can keep that in mind, calm ourselves down, and treat our friends and family with respect.
I am thankful for the diversity of my family, my friends, and even my Facebook newsfeed. I am thankful for the way those differences challenge my thinking, strengthen my beliefs, and force me to live in the grace I depend on. I am thankful for our rights and freedoms in this country, and I remain hopeful for the days to come.
"I know my weakness, know my voice, and I'll believe in grace and choice..." -- Mumford & Sons
I voted today, though it’s not like it mattered. My county and state are overwhelmingly partisan, and I am not. But I voted. I voted on matters of principal. I voted because oppressed people all over the world cannot. I voted for those who lived, fought and died to win and protect our right to these freedoms. I voted so I could teach my children and show them how to live responsibly by example.
It's nothing new. I felt it at work before and now just about everywhere I go. People speak their opinions as fact, loudly, with every expectation that everyone within earshot either agrees with them or is an idiot. I have found this especially true of my fellow faithful who quote scripture as if it was spoken for such a time as this—to defend an American’s presidential choice. So much of the dialogue is devoid of disagreement or completely lacking of any kind of decorum, grace, or respect. I don’t like arguing for the sake of arguing, especially when I’ve just met all these people. But it’s strange to feel so disconnected from so much of the country.
I’ve said it before: I’ve never understood how a Christian could be overly elated or dismayed by the outcome of any election. Our God is in control, our Jesus is the only one who saves. I hope, win or lose, that we can keep that in mind, calm ourselves down, and treat our friends and family with respect.
I am thankful for the diversity of my family, my friends, and even my Facebook newsfeed. I am thankful for the way those differences challenge my thinking, strengthen my beliefs, and force me to live in the grace I depend on. I am thankful for our rights and freedoms in this country, and I remain hopeful for the days to come.
"I know my weakness, know my voice, and I'll believe in grace and choice..." -- Mumford & Sons
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