The Most Important Election

The politician raised his voice, slammed his hand on the podium, stared at the audience and with great earnestness said, “This is the most important election of our lifetime!” To which the crowd heartily shouted their agreement. I was dumbfounded. Now, maybe the candidate meant it? Maybe they truly believe that? Perhaps in their proverbial “heart of hearts,” they truly think that way? Or maybe the person seeking your vote is just trying to muster the troops? Instill fear? Or even manipulate their audience? Yet, having heard those words repeated every election cycle of my adult life, when I hear them now, I just cringe. 

Seriously, hearing that claim just makes me want to scream back at the TV, and ask are you for real?! “This is the most important election of our lifetime” is the exact same statement we heard four years ago. And four years before that, and four years before that, and four years before that, etc. and ad nauseum. 

Forgive my bluntness, but every election cycle when we hear a politician (or pundit) make this claim, I want to ask; do you think we are all brain-dead or just brainwashed? Do these folks who are seeking our support really believe we are that gullible? Do they not realize, they literally said the exact same thing four years ago? 

I guess the answer must be, either they do believe we are that obtuse … and we are? Or, we voters have such short memories, we don’t even recall being sold that same bill of goods just a few years back! Or perhaps like the politician, we truly do believe this is one is actually the most important? One of these things must be the case, because every time someone on social media makes this claim, or each time a politician says this, a loud chorus of partisan amens are sure to follow.

Am I missing something?

Wait, wait – I get it now … this time, it really is true! This one REALLY is the most important election of our lifetime! “You just don’t understand Brother Lewis, the Republic is at stake. If the wrong person wins, it may just be the end of our country! If, such and such isn’t elected, we may as well go ahead and kiss America goodbye. So, ‘this time’ it really is the most important vote you will ever cast.” These are the passionate assertions I hear when I refuse to go along with the masses. 

I know I can be a bit of a killjoy, stick-in-the mud and most definitely a stickler for words, but my goodness … every four years can’t be the end of the world, can it?! Surely, you can see past that same claim and the manipulative fears imbedded in those words. I realize, there are some well-meaning people who say this, and probably even believe it. And yes, most often that belief comes from a good place … a love of country and freedom. 

Yet dear friend, I hope you are not still buying that same ol’ worn out line? I don’t mean to sound arrogant, forgive me if I do. I don’t have this political season all figured out for sure. 

But I simply am astonished at how quickly people forget they have heard that same claim for decades, and keep buying it, over and over again. Further still, it ought be obvious (and somewhat frightening) how easily we Americans can be convinced (or conned) into believing the next election is going to bring us where we want to go.  

I understand non-Christians placing way too much trust in politicians and their promises. They do not have a Biblical worldview that shapes their understanding of why fallen men can never be fully trusted. However, confessing Christians ought to know better than putting too much confidence in any person, politician or President. Psalms 146:3 states, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” Even though the Bible is quite clear about this, it seems like even Evangelicals are prone to do that very thing. Especially every four years when “the most important election of their lifetime” comes around (again). 

Friend, if your hope of a brighter tomorrow is that your chosen candidate is the one who gets sworn in come January, you are destined for disappointment. I promise you; the next president isn’t going to fix all our ails, regardless of who gets elected. Does it matter who wins? Yes, of course it does. Should you vote? Yes, you should. Those who do not participate in the process have no right to complain about the outcome. 

In closing, allow me to remind you of a couple truths; first, it is the duty of every person to do what honors God. Then, leave the results up to Him. God sovereignly sets up kings and removes them as it pleases Him (Daniel 2:21). And if we do our duty, He will do what is right. He knows far better than we, what is best. 

Then finally I urge you, put your faith in the One who needs no vote. But rules and reigns over all creatures, great or small … the Lord Jesus Christ! Only He can be counted on in this crazy world. Don’t put all your eggs in the broken basket at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 

This election may seem like the most important one of your life, but it isn’t. No more than the last one. If you don’t know God, I can understand you feeling this way. But if you are a Christian, don’t buy the lie, and instead place your hope in the King of all kings who governs over all. 

And oh yeah … don’t be surprised if I resubmit this same article next election season … you know why? Because that one will be, “the most important election of your life!” Or so you will be told.