Tuesday; July 19

Today is Primary Election Day in Maryland. Some of you who live in other places may be voting with us today – while others may have already made the preliminary choices that will guide the General Election. There may even be a few who are gearing up for your own mid-summer elections within the next few weeks. Now before you get too concerned, I am not going to tell you how you should vote. I grew up in a time when voting your conscience in a “secret” ballot was more popular than it is today; so I will merely challenge you to do your research, then cast your vote wisely. What I will encourage us to do; however, focuses more on what we should do after our votes are cast and the tallies are reported. The Apostle Paul instructed us, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”. The Apostle Peter encouraged, “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” (I Peter 2:17). When the dust settles from our elections we need to pray for county’s leaders and respect each other. We are blessed to be able to choose our leaders, but that also comes with a responsibility to support not only the elected, but also those who elected them. There are too many people who are only satisfied when their representative is chosen. They hope for the worst if their “guy” isn’t chosen and harbor ill-will toward those who voted against them. Folks, not only does our system only work when we respect the opinions of others, our religion is only valid when we treat each other with honor – not because we agree with their politics, but because we believe they have value as fellow human beings.

Let’s go out and exercise our right to vote, but let’s remember that we are all in this together. The peace and well-being of our nation is more important than if we are riding the winning horse.

Think About It! 

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