General Superintendent
Max Edwards
November 5, 2024
It’s election day in these United States. Most likely, we won’t live up to our national name today. Chances are slim to none that we’ll be very ‘United’ today.
But despite all the rhetoric spouted by both Republicans and Democrats (and maybe Libertarians, and Independents too) … I believe that we’ll survive this. Why am I so optimistic? Because in spite of the things that divide us, WE ACTUALLY ARE – hundreds of millions of us - nearly unanimously in agreement on a few centering ideals, such as the freedoms spelled out in the first amendment of the United States Constitution’s Bill of Rights. They include: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to petition the government.
And further, I believe that we all treasure the fact that we are not governed by tyrants and d i ctators. We have a form of government that has built-in, hard-wired checks and balances.
And lastly, even though some people don’t exercise the fundamental right to vote as I think they should, we would rather possess that right as a basic freedom, instead of living under a despot or overlord who holds our lives and freedoms in the palm of the hand, without any accountability.
If you haven’t already voted when you read this, I encourage you to do so. What a privilege to make your wishes known at a ballot box, without fear of retribution. We live in a great country that has its flaws, but even so, is still the envy of millions and millions of people around the world.
Instead of rejoicing or fretting because “our” candidates did or didn’t win, why don’t we make a renewed commitment to do what the Scriptures admonish us to do - - to pray … for our local officials … our state representatives and senators … our governors … our national senators and congressmen and women … our president and vice president, and the appointed federal cabinet.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godl i ness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
1 Timothy 2:1 - 3