It’s Election time in the US, and Voting has begun. Last week, I saw a video of college students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, the nation’s largest historically Black college or university. The students marched en masse after campus removed early voting ballot drop-off boxes.
It wasn’t just a protest. They weren’t willing to let their vote be suppressed so easily, they headed on foot, loudly, to the nearest drop-off box 2 miles away to make sure every one of their votes was received and their voices were heard.
The world feels like it’s on fire right now. It’s not only in the US where democracy is under attack. But our President is increasingly erratic, increasingly defended by the conservative majority on the Supreme Court and the Republicans in Congress. He and his administration show less and less interest in or compulsion for the rule of law.
But we still have elections. Thank God! …And the upcoming elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3 are crucial.
Let’s not fool ourselves: even if there’s a landslide, a change in Congress won’t just magically fix our political troubles. In fact, some forecast that a dramatic increase in Congressional Democrats’ power will make the battles more pitched. As the executive branch, with little interest in working with Congress or obeying the law, is called to account, the constitutional crisis may just grow. But more tension in a system that is failing so spectacularly – that may be the only way forward?
Last Sunday, I preached on the passage “render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar’s, and unto God what is God’s.” I think Jesus calls Christians to participate in the politics of the societies where God places us. To participate deeply, but in a very specific way.. To play our part in the body politic in our faith. Not inadvertently as pawns of others’ interests. Or narrowly for our own interests. Instead, we can only ‘render unto Caesar, ’ remembering a much deeper belonging. We are – body and soul – ALL God’s. Our Christianity directs and drives how we live our public lives as much as our personal lives. .
What kind of political agency or leadership does someone who belongs to God have?
Or as I asked the kids on Sunday, “If we are God’s coins – with the likeness of God imprinted on us – how does God want to spend us?
We are in the midst of our Stewardship Campaign for next year. That’s about what kind of church God wants us to be.
Christian Stewardship, it turns out, also calls for our investment in the kind of world God wants. We are to engage in the civic process of our corner of the vineyard. To speak, act, vote, serve according to our responsibilities as citizens, neighbors, Christians. A part of the mandate of faith is caring for God’s world and our neighbors.
When you cast your ballot in the next two weeks, up until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, please bless yourself and others by recognizing the faithfulness of voting. Election engagement is also about Christian stewardship. About the kind of world God wants.
God of compassion, your Son Jesus spoke peace to the anxious,
courage to the fearful,
justice for the oppressed.
love to the outcast, and
gave rest to the weary.
In our own nation, public life these days is often spoiled
by anger, division, fear, and reckless and harmful scapegoating words and actions.
Raise up leaders who shape their conduct
according to the responsibilities of their office and the needs of the people.
Transform our understanding and discourse so that
the public square may be marked by civility, fairness, and love.
Teach us to use our words and actions for the sake of the suffering,
and renew in us the Spirit promised by Jesus —
the Spirit who tames our tongues and prepares our minds
for the good work you call us to do.
Through Jesus Christ our redeemer. Amen.
And if you or your neighbors have trouble casting a ballot, call these hotlines.
English 866-OUR-VOTE
Spanish/English 888-VE-Y-VOTA
Asian Languages/English 888-API-VOTE
Arabic/English 844-YALLA-US
For the deaf community, the Election Protection hotline can receive texts and WhatsApp messages to 866-OUR-VOTE, and email to [email protected].
Faithfulness means staying informed when we’d rather throw up our hands or tune out.
Faithfulness means we critically evaluate information before we act on it or pass it on.
The truth will set us free, but lies trip us up and sentence society as a whole.
Faithfulness might be saying hard things, unpopular things,
but in respectful political dialogue even when we disagree.
In courage and faith,
Michael
Rev. Michael Caine is the Pastor of the Old First Reformed UCC Church in Philadelphia. Old First celebrates 300 years of service and worship this year. Old First is located at the corner of 4th and Race in Old City Philadelphia.
Michal Caine wrote this article, and Renaldo McKenzie, Content Chief at The Neoliberal Corporation, edited and published it in The Neoliberal Journals.
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