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Election Day |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 11/5/2008 9:01 AM | Greetings on this wonderful day,
This morning I went by the dry cleaners before I headed to the church. I passed two different polling places on the way, and what I saw was pretty incredible. It was about 7:15 in the morning and the scene was exactly the same at both places…cars jamming the parking lot, cars lined up down side streets, a huge crowd of people in a thick line snaking around the parking lot and down the sidewalk! I am told that here at BCC, the line snaked from the back fellowship hall doors around the church into the front parking lot, some 200 people long. I’ve seen lines to vote before, but for lots of reasons, this sight was especially moving to me.
First, in my former life as a political appointee and then a professor of Political Science, political participation was a sermon that I preached over and over and over again. The more we participate, the more the government and the policies of that government will reflect our will. If we sit on the sidelines and just grouse about things, what good will that possibly do? Voting seems inconsequential to some, but I disagree. It is the most basic way we have to influence what goes on in government. Several years ago I saw an analysis of the Ford-Carter election of 1976. That election was an extremely close contest between two thoughtful, respected candidates. The analysis focused on one state, my home state of Michigan, which went to Jimmy Carter. But the analysis showed that if just one vote in each voting precinct of the state had been added for Gerald Ford, the cumulative impact would have been pushed Ford to victory in Michigan, and with it’s large number of electoral votes, would have changed the outcome of the election. What if you were a Ford supporter and you were that one person in your precinct who decided not to vote that day? One vote counts.
Second, I am heartened because for as long as I can remember, a 55% voter turnout has been considered large. Today, the experts are predicting a 90% turnout! 90%!!! Candidates often talk about mandates, and the idea that the electorate has spoken, well, with 90% turnout, they might rightly claim those things! It bolsters my confidence in the American people to recognize what is important and reinforces the idea that when they are up against it, they will respond. We live in very uncertain times, and I am sure that has something to do with people wanting to seize every chance to have a say in the future.
Third, our children are watching. When the adults in their lives take the time to take responsibility for exercising this incredible right of participation, they will take note. And when it’s their turn, they will take care in making sure they participate, too. My parents were not political junkies, but they would talk about candidates at the dinner table, sometimes agreeing, sometimes disagreeing, but always holding fast to the idea that their vote was sacred and not to be squandered. They voted in every election, faithfully. After retirement, my father always worked at the polling place in his neighborhood on election day. And because of their example, all of us kids pay attention, and make sure we vote. It’s jut the right thing to do.
There are those who say that Christians should not participate in elections. God is our sovereign, and earthly governments hold now sway over that, the thought goes. But Jesus came and worked to improve the lot of the poor, the prisoners, the outsiders, the sick, the tired, the disenfranchised. How we treat people, how we live this life matters! Part of how we live this life is paying attention to what governments do in our names. I am not suggesting that government can supplant God’s power and meaning at the center of our lives, but a government influenced by faithful people will be more likely to act as we would act. If people of faith don’t participate, why would we expect our government to reflect the values that we hold dear?
It is an exciting day. It is a scary day. We might be on the verge of enormous change. We are voting to for the future of this country, and in some ways, the world. I hope that if you haven’t yet voted, you will make every effort to do so before the polls lose this evening. If you’re in line at 7:00, you will be able to vote. Much of the world only dreams of the day that they can cast a meaningful vote. For us, that day is here. What are you waiting for? Vote!
For your prayer list:
Please keep Glenn and Helen Smith and their entire family in your prayers. Glenn has been fighting long and hard against cancer, and this afternoon, he will be transferred to Hospice Atlanta.
Please keep Ruth Luckett, our office manager, and her family in your prayers. Ruth’s sister is suffering from advanced stages of Parkinsons Disease and is now battling pneumonia. Ruth has gone to spend a day or two with her, and reported this morning that she is making progress.
Prayers of thanksgiving for the youth ministry of BCC! Under the guidance of our Youth Director Lauren Evans and sponsor Laurie Hazen, they showed us once again last week that the future of the church is solid! Thank you for your wonderful witness and all the time and effort that went into leading such a great worship service.
Upcoming events
Don’t forget that this Sunday is our Annual Fall Church Wide Picnic at Keswick Park in Chamblee. Bring a dish to pass and the membership ministry will provide drinks and meat. Come for good food, fun games and wonderful fellowship!
I hope to see you Sunday when we celebrate the Lord’s Day together again. We will be having a delayed “All Saints Celebration” (traditionally it is celebrated on the first Sunday of November) and the sermon this week is titled “Laying the Foundation” and the scripture is Ezra 3: 10-13. Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad
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