A grain of salt...

Thinking about staying home from the polls tomorrow because you think it does not really matter? Consider these elections....

• In 1999, Leslie Byrne was elected to the Virginia Senate by 37 votes, less than one vote per precinct.
• Donald Sherwood was elected to the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania by a margin of 515 votes, less than one vote per precinct making this election the closest House of Representative race in 1998
  
• Loretta Sanchez was elected to Congress from California by less than 4 votes per precinct in 1996
  
• John F. Kennedy's margin of victory over Richard Nixon in 1960 was less than one vote per precinct.
  
• One vote per precinct passed woman suffrage in California in 1911.

Tomorrow Americans have a privilege that comparatively few people down through history have enjoyed - the ability to choose their leaders. Political leaders estimate that just a little more than half of those who are registered to vote will actually go to the polls on Tuesday. And only about 40% of people of voting age in the US will vote! I sincerely hope that you are not one of those who says, "what does my vote really mean, so why bother?" The truth is that one vote is powerful especially in a year like this one in which many political contests are too close to call just a day before the elections.

So, some of you are probably thinking, "Jerry, why are you writing about this in TFTD? Isn't the mission of this daily email about encouraging spiritual development?" Yes; and Believer, I am convinced that as a follower of Christ one of the ways we must practice our faith and bring a God-centered worldview into influence in our society is with the ballot. I urge you to pray about your vote. Paul urged the Believers living in pagan societies of his time to bear public witness. He said, "Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT)

Know why you're voting for that person to whom you give your support. Research the candidate's positions, and vote wisely, not simply emotionally. Have you viewed that AARP ad featuring the 'candidate' who does a great 'song and dance' routine, who smiles widely and serves up supper, but never talks about issues? It's a good one! The point of the ad is that we need to look past the personality to the position. I'm not endorsing the AARP but it is important that we not allow personal charisma or lack there of to be the reason we support a candidate. Nor can we let a candidate's rhetoric guide us alone. Look at their record, at specific votes, at what various advocacy groups have to say about their positions. With a little digging, information is available. (Don't write to me and ask me for whom you ought to vote!)

Truthfully, in very few situations will you find a candidate that perfectly conforms to your ideals. Selecting the person you support will involve prioritizing issues that you consider to be important and then choosing the candidate that reflects the values you list highest on your list. I would encourage you not to be single issue voter. Consider the totality of a candidate's positions.

Here are several issues to consider beyond the normal party affiliation:

• Does this candidate believe that life is sacred with a consistent position on all human life?
  
• Does this candidate seek ways to provide justice to all people- rich, poor, black, and white?
  
• Is this candidate actively concerned about economic opportunity for all people?
  
• Does this candidate show a genuine respect for God's creation, balancing the need for development with environmental preservation?

Jesus tells us to be the salt of the earth. Though we primarily think of salt as a flavor, in His time, salt served a much more valuable function. Since there was no refrigeration, salt was the primary means of preserving foods, particularly meat, from spoiling. Tomorrow see your ballot as a grain of salt, a way of preserving the political process from corruption. Though alone we are like a small grain of salt, our grains of salt, together, can and will make a real difference.

"Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government." (1 Peter 2:13-17, The Message)