Why This Election Matters

Why This Election Matters



In Jesus’ parable of the talents, a master gives a coin to each of his servants before leaving for a while. When he returns, he asks what profit each has made. Suffice it to say it doesn’t go well for the guy who hides the money and hands it back with no gain. The moral is clear: God’s gifts come with a responsibility to use them in His service. And, for those of us who are Zambians citizens and over 18, one of these gifts is your vote—a say in one of the Fastest growing economies these parts of the earth.



Many younger Christians take a dim view of politics, oftentimes based on personal exposure to the missteps of a previous generation’s foray into governmental activism. In many ways, this represents a welcome shift toward a more holistic mission toward culture as a whole.



But the importance of government in Scripture should make us cautious about letting the pendulum swing away entirely from political engagement. Earthly citizenship—and, by implication, its most basic actions of voting and paying taxes—are upheld by the New Testament. Three decades after Jesus’ ascension, Paul wrote to the Roman Christians that even the officials of the pagan imperial “powers that be” were, literally, “ministers of God” for upholding good and punishing evil.



No country is a substitute for the Kingdom of God. But in Kingdom-seekers’ patient waiting for God’s completed rule, we are exhorted to see the hand of God in the righteous administration of human government. This truth endures even into our current system of a government of, by and for the people. The gift of modern democracy comes with a responsibility: if you want to find “the powers that be,” ordained by God for the good of all, just look in the mirror. We’re it.



With this kind of mandate, simply opting out is not an option. So why does it feel so tempting to blow off voting—especially in a distinctly un-glamorous election?

One significant problem is that our culture is decreasingly suited to the act of voting. Our cultural obsession with individual customization means we live more and more in environments tailored to our specific preferences—and we demonstrate less and less patience with situations that don’t reflect our wishes. Voting doesn’t make much sense in this climate. After all, being a voter is the opposite of being at the center of the action. But this is also why, in our current social moment, voting is a profoundly countercultural act of loving our neighbors as ourselves.



Many younger Christians feel disillusioned with all parties (MMD, PF and UPND)—and maybe the state of candidates and government in general. That’s why it’s important to remember that elections are about people—and don’t let anyone get away with saying it doesn’t matter who wins. That’s always a cop-out. It may be that no candidate feels completely satisfying to vote for, but your satisfaction isn’t the point of voting. The point is making an informed decision about the person you think will best serve your neighbors.



Elections are going to happen whether or not Christians are ready to vote. And the people who are elected will make decisions on issues large and small. The same is true for the various referenda and regulations put forward by our Goverment and municipalities. The vast majority of these decisions won’t affect the vast majority of us directly. But each affects somebody, and there’s the rub: Whether you’re personally motivated by a given issue or candidate, do you love your neighbor enough to learn what’s at stake in your community’s life, and then pull the lever?





Of course, there’s zero chance one person’s vote will sway an election either way, and if the results don’t go your way, you still have to live with them. But voting in spite of the seeming insignificance of individual action may be the most subtly redemptive aspect of thuming the ballot. We don’t vote because it’s a guaranteed way to make a difference. We vote because it’s an act of fidelity to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, to which God has called us.

So how should you vote? It requires work: voting is just the tip of the iceberg of informed citizenship. And you’ll find good information on more local issues in the endorsements from your local papers (whether or not you agree with them) and trusted regional nonprofits.



We can also all benefit from the advice of former Sen. Sam Nunn (USA) when asked what kind of candidates we should look for: Someone who lets facts determine their opinions and puts country above party.



As someone has said, you don’t blame a house for being dark at night—you blame the people who don’t turn on the lights. When Christians can’t be bothered to bring the light of neighbor-love to the ballot box, we shouldn’t be surprised—or look for anyone else to blame—when those with less noble aims bend the machinery of power to their purposes. If we don’t show up to represent a God whose common grace serves the common good—sun and rain that nourish the wicked and righteous alike—who will?



Register as a Voter Today!


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EMOTIONAL & MENTAL BAGGAGE (How many bags do you have?)

They are nice, smart, sweet, thoughtful, nice looking, encouraging and motivating. They have everything you could possibly want in a person but the baggage they bring into the relationship whether it be emotional or mental baggage makes all of those positive qualities just disappear. Without the baggage, you would marry them in a heartbeat.

But when you think of what life would be like with them along with the baggage they have, you say to yourself absolutely not. If you ever plan to have a future with someone, you must always take that inventory of whether or not you want to deal with all the baggage and drama they bring into the relationship.

The only way that a person can get rid of that mental and emotional baggage is to have Jesus cleanse their heart and mind and to restore that person to where the pain and heartache no longer hinders them.

FAVOR

One definition of the word “favor” is an advantage for success. When you put God first, when you obey His commands, you open the door for His favor — you have the advantage for success! Even if someone has wronged you and it looks like they have the upper hand, even if it looks like things are never going to change, you need to keep reminding yourself, “I have an advantage. God is in control of my destiny. He’s fighting my battles for me. He is my vindicator, and it’s just a matter of time before things change in my favor.”

I love the scripture in Hebrews that says, “Don’t cast away your confidence.” One translation says, “...for payday is coming.” In the difficult times, you have to remind yourself that payday is on its way! God is a faithful God. If you’ll keep doing the right thing, honoring Him and expecting His favor, God has promised He will pay you back. He will restore everything in your life that the enemy has stolen so you can live the abundant life He has promised to you.

QUOTES

To carry a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.



It’s not about time, it’s about choices. How are you spending your choices?



The best way to predict the future is to create it.



We are where we should be, doing what we should be doing, otherwise we would be somewhere else doing something else.



You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.



The ball is in your court, now bounce it.



I always win. Because I come out of every situation still whole, still new, and still capable of moving forward. Every experience of my life moves me on to my next experience. All my experiences teach me wisdom, give me courage, and set me free to go on living.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THE GIFT GOD GAVE YOU?

I heard a Pastor say before, if you don't use the gift God gave you, He will take it from you and give it to someone else. Now that wouldn't be a good thing would it?



Your gift is something specific that God put in you to please and praise Him with. Your gift, also when used for God can open so many doors for you but you would never know this because you are not using that gift. You are letting it go to waste.



Question: If you give a person a gift and they take that gift, don't open it and just place it the corner under some other things, how would you feel? When you don't use your gift, it is like you are saying to God, thanks for the gift but since I'm not going to use it, I'll just put it over here under some other things.



Bottom line. Pick up that gift, open it and use it. There are literally thousands of people waiting for you to use and bless them through your gift. Don't pass up this opportunity. This is the time to praise and glorify God through the gift He gave you.

STOP MAKING EXCUSES

Day in and day out, week in and week out, month in and month out you keep doing everything except what you need to be doing. You need to write that book, start that business, clean that office, make those phone calls and put things in order. When you first said it, it was ok, then after the 2nd, 3rd and 4th time it started to turn into excuses.

You know you have the power and the ability to get it done. Stop talking yourself out of doing it. Stop saying it's too hard, it will take too long or I don't have enough resources. When you have God on your side, you only need your own desire and determination to add to it and it will get done

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU CALL YOUR FRIENDS

They laugh with you in your face but talk about you behind your back. They say they are happy for you but their fake hug tells a different story. You would think they would be glad to see you do what you love to do. That is not always the case. They feel like since they are not fulfilling their dream that you shouldn't fulfill yours.



If you let them, they can destroy your dreams with their negative words and sarcastic remarks. Be careful who you call your friends. You've come too far to let anything and anyone take your dreams away from you.