Dear Friends,
For some, the question of which candidate to vote for in the upcoming General Election was decided long ago. Others are still wondering which way to cast their vote. I am still not sure myself, although it won’t surprise you that I am not going to tell you whom to vote for. However, there are some things we can say with confidence about how we should vote (and these apply also to those among us who for various reasons may not have a vote in this election):
- We should vote thankfully – that we are able to choose our leaders, and can be confident that the election will be conducted fairly.
- We should vote prayerfully – that we ourselves would know whom to vote for, for the candidates and their families, and for the overall outcome.
- We should vote trustingly – that the result is in God’s hands, and that nothing can threaten his kingdom.
Finally, it is worth remembering that we are not the first generation of Christians to ask this question! In The Journal of John Wesley we find the following good advice: “October 6, 1774. I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them:
- To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy.
- To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and
- To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”
That final line of advice would be something to pray for ourselves and this nation at this time.
Yours warmly, in Christ,
Chris Hobbs (Senior Minister)