The Power to Choose

It was on this date in 1872 that a woman, Susan B. Anthony, tried to vote in the Presidential election of Ulysses S. Grant and Horace Greenly. She was arrested because at that time women were not allowed to vote. Later she would be tried, found guilty, and fined $100.

Also on this date in 1912, Woodrow Wilson won a landslide victory with 428 Electoral votes and was elected 28th President of the United States. On November 5, 1940, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected for an unprecedented third term as President. And on this date in 1968 Richard Nixon narrowly defeated Vice-President Hubert Humphrey. Neither candidate received 50% of the votes due to the third party candidacy of George Wallace.

In all of these examples American citizens exercised the power to choose. To vote or not to vote. To vote Republican, Democrat, or Third Party. To even vote in protest as Susan B. Anthony did.

Today, we have that same opportunity. Many have already voted in person, or mailed in their ballot. Many more will vote today in this hotly contested election which most pundits claim is too close to call. However, we will be faced with many more choices following today’s election.

#1 Both the candidates for various offices, as well as their supporters, will choose whether or not to be gracious either in victory or defeat. Someone will win. Someone will lose. Then the choice is made how to accept victory or how to deal with defeat.

#2 As Christians regardless of our political positions and how our chosen candidate fares, we have a choice in attitude, action, and speech. This is a good time to be reminded of Paul admonition in Ephesians 4:31-32.

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

There’s already been too much acrimony, even among Christians, over their preferred choices. It’s past time to put it away.

#3 We have a choice after the election to follow the Biblical exhortation given in 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

About 50% of Americans are going to be disappointed in the results. Now, we have a choice. Will we pray for our leaders? Or will we belittle, insult, and denigrate them? Remember this exhortation was given to Christians who lived under immoral, ungodly Roman Emperors. They had no choice. Many had no rights. How can we who live in a Democratic Republic be excused for failing to pray for our elected officials?

#4 After the election is over we have a choice whether or not to place our confidence in a politician, or to place our confidence in Christ. Of course, many will worry if their candidate is not elected, we will be doomed. But what about the providence of God? Where is our trust in Him?

The Psalmist warned, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation” (Ps. 46:3).

While we all want the best elected leaders possible to preserve our freedom and our ability to worship, serve God, and preach the Truth, they are not the ultimate answer to this world’s problems. Only Jesus Christ can solve the sin problem and provide eternal salvation.

#5 Finally, we have a choice regardless of the outcome of the election, to celebrate our citizenship in God’s Kingdom. To promote its principles. To share its Good News. To live by its values. And to have faith in its destiny.

We have the power to choose. Not just today at ballot box. But tomorrow and the next day.

Choose well.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman