I’m Only Going to Say This Once
Please don’t complain about the condition of our country, our government and our elected officials…
If you don’t vote.
Did you notice we just celebrated 100 years of women finally getting the vote? That was a hard-fought battle!
But It’s too easy to become complacent. We never lived during the time when only white male property owners were allowed to have a voice in the running of this country. But thankfully, brave men and women opened the doors for us all. Will we walk through them?
The women’s suffrage movement took activists and reformers nearly 100 years to win the vote, and their campaign was wrought with much conflict. But on August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was finally ratified, enfranchising all American women and declaring for the first time that they, like men, deserve all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
Your vote and mine do make a difference.
Martin Luther King, Jr. admonished us to “never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressman and government officials, but the voters of this country.”
As citizens, voting is our right and privilege. As believers, we have a biblical precedent to “Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable to be your leaders.” Deuteronomy 1.13
But in today’s climate, it can be easy to feel that our vote doesn’t really matter.
Did you know that only one person’s vote in 1776 resulted in the United States choosing English as our language instead of German?
Or that in 1923, only one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi Party.
Our flag would only have 46 stars if one extra person in California, Washington, Oregon and Texas hadn’t voted for statehood. (Frankly I can’t even imagine a country without those significant states!). In 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes beat Samuel J. Tilden for 19th president of the United States by one vote. Only time will reveal the difference our votes made in a lifetime.
Perhaps you did vote. But your candidate was not the one elected. Last time. Will you despair or will you hold fast to these three truths?
- God is still sovereign. He is not wringing His hands over this latest election. He is in control. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. Psalm 47.8 Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 2 Chronicles 20.6
- We are called to pray regularly for our leaders and our country. Prayer is powerful. The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.1 Timothy 2.1-3
- God offers a purpose and a hope for us now and for generations in the years to come. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ Isaiah 46.10 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4.3
One day when your children ask you about this time in history, be sure you tell them that you made a deliberate choice to exercise your right to vote.
under the mercy, Lucinda
“Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength”
©2020 Lucinda Secrest McDowell
Lucinda Secrest McDowell is a storyteller and seasoned mentor who engages both heart and mind while “Helping You Choose a Life of Serenity & Strength.” She has authored 15 books including “Soul Strong – 7 Keys to a Vibrant Life” and “Life-Giving Choices – 60 Days to What Matters Most.” She writes from “Sunnyside” cottage in New England and shares encouragement at LucindaSecrestMcDowell.com
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Thanks so much for sharing this measured and godly response to our duty as believers.
Thanks so much for your encouragement Michelle.
Will send this on to our church secretary to share w/our ladies Bible study who meet on Thursdays. This was a good reminder that God IS in control and NOT man.
Thank you Lillian for reading and sharing. God is BIG! Hugs to all…
Thanks, Lucinda for this reminder of one of the responsibilities we have as believers. I also believe we need to remember our vote is personal and between us and the Lord. We need to stop vilifying other brothers and sisters who don’t vote like we do or the way we expect them to vote. The church is negatively impacted when we equate a person’s political views with whether or not they are “real” Christians.
Amen, sister. We must not allow politics to divide our faith communities. That’s why I wrote this piece for EVERYONE. Thank you for reading, Sheree.
Cindy, keep those “Encouraging Words” coming. So needed at these times of uncertainty. I voted not only for myself but for all the precious souls who will not have the opportunity because of Covid 19. I look forward to your next E W. May God continue to bless you.
Jan, thank you for taking time to read and encourage me. We must be obedient more than ever in these difficult times. Blessings!
Thank you for this. I have been battling fear over the current political storm that is spilling over into everyday life.
Oh Kirsten, I believe many of us have been battling fear. And fear would win IF we didn’t know that our God is BIGGER…. Love you.
Every Wednesday I look forward to reading your post!!!!!! You are such a blessing in my life. I’m going to share today’s with my women’s Bible study!!
Oh thank you Nancy for sharing with your group. Tell them they can each sign up to receive weekly blogs and newsletters by clicking that “Anchor in the Storm” on the blog.
Thank you for this. dI am in my 90s, and I remember coming home from school on election day to see my mother putting on her coat to walk downtown to vote on election day. We all need to be reminded about our responsibilities as citizens. I think as believers we also need to be doing more praying together. One friend and I in our church decided a few years ago to start meeting to pray, primarily for our church and our country. One other joined us, then a fourth. Now the one who first joined me has moved away, but another has begun to meet with us. With the covid restrictions, we decided to do it by speaker phone. My hope and prayer is that the Lord is raising up more small groups like this all over our country.
Excellent post, Cindy. Thank you.