Putting It Back Together

This election makes me feel sad.  That is the realization that I came to earlier this week, and watching the third debate on Wednesday did nothing to change my mind.  A lot of the discouraging things about this election have been around for years, they are just more intense this time.

It seems like in every election I hear people say that they feel like they are voting for the lesser of two evils, but I generally don't feel that way.  In most elections I find myself supporting a candidate that I think will be good for the office, good for the community, good for the country, etc.  But it is hard to feel that way this time.  At the top, it is hard to find people that are truly gung ho about either candidate.  Most people are making a decision that goes like, "I know that _____ has problems, but ____ would be a disaster." The amazing thing is that people seem to think this no matter which candidate they plan on voting for.

And it isn't just the presidential race (although it is clearly the worst), every race seems to go this way.  I live in Northern Michigan where there is a battle going on for the US Congressional seat.  Two out of every three commercials on TV are about this race, and they are all negative.  Both sides seem to be trying to convince us that the other guy really isn't from here.  Or that they either want to take away guns or destroy social security.  They are focusing on the, "The other guy would be a disaster" mentality too.

So what are we going to do on November 9th?  Sometimes I am surprised by people who endorse certain candidates.  I find myself thinking, "Really? That's who they support?  How is that possible?" And I have been having that feeling across the board.  Sometimes it is from the endorsements of organizations or political leaders or church leaders.  I never know if they are true supporters or making some type of political calculation.

Sometimes the real surprise comes when I see friends backing one candidate or another.  Sometimes it is hard to wrap your head around it.  But I think that we need to be careful about reading too much into it.  Our friends have made the same conflicted decision that we all are making.  They have also weighed the pros and cons.  Some of the pros weigh more some of the cons weigh less.  Some of my pros are their cons and visa versa.  They have come to a serious decision, just as I have.  And Even if I don't agree, I can still give them my respect.

In the book of James, it says that The anger of man will not achieve the righteousness of God.  On November 9th we need to start putting the country back together.  We need to be less angry and more righteous.  We need to be forgiving of other's opinions and remember that like us, they want what is best for the country.  They just have a different vision of how to go about it.  We need to support and pray for our elected leaders whether we voted for them or not.  And in all circumstances, we need to give grace and show love as best as we can.