It is November 4th, election night eve. Tomorrow, millions of Americans will head to their local precincts in order to cast their votes for President, Vice-President, Senate and House of Representatives. Many millions more have already cast their ballots. Last month, I wrote in my blog about “What If” those who were undecided turned their vote over to the Lord and prayed to do whatever the Lord wanted of them. I have so prayed, and the Lord has very definite ways to get his point across when He wants to. I have a much clearer understanding about my responsibility tomorrow.
I recently read an opinion piece from Peggy Noonan, the former presidential speech writer and Saturday columnist for the Wall Street Journal. She has decided that she will write in the name of the person she has deemed worthy of receiving her vote. She made another point, however, that struck me and has stayed with me. As divided as we are in this country, and as divergent as the viewpoints expressed by the two main political parties, there are still so many millions of Americans who are committed to the process of voting, of participating in the enterprise that America still presents to the rest of the world.
One of the reasons that so many people want to come here—legally and illegally—is that America is recognized worldwide as a unique and wonderful land of opportunity so much better than the vast majority of countries in which people live today. We who live in the United States have very divergent viewpoints about what America is and what our country stands for. But both sides believe that their view of America is the better view.
Is there a vast number of people who seek to flee into mainland China, into Russia, into Pakistan or India, for example? Not everyone knows everything, but people know many things. One thing they know is when a particular country has better living conditions, more freedoms, and a host of opportunities—much better than where they are living presently. In our voting tomorrow let us ask the Lord to guide our choice and to lead us by the kindly light of God’s own Spirit to vote for those who will make the authoritative decisions and most cooperate with the grace that God is providing,
There is a story about our founding President, George Washington and an apparition of “a woman of singular beauty” at his Headquarters in Valley Forge. In his diary he wrote how she said: “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” In the vision of the future he was then given, Washington saw the colonies take root and thrive, only to be fiercely attacked and brutally brought into conflict later on, on three different occasions: the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and a future conflict still to take place. A painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary hung in the Washington's residence at Mount Vernon. The founding of this great country was not a coincidence or a stroke of luck or some early serendipity. It was in response to God’s grace. It is the living God who brought the United States into existence, and we live under the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit.
For too many Americans in our land, things look so bleak right now. But it is time for those on both sides of the divide to accept the results of the votes tomorrow and then extend a hand across the divide to link up with those of different viewpoints and convictions. We can find a way. We can choose to live in harmony, to reach out and extend a hand to those across the aisle from where we live. Our country cannot readily survive a new Civil War, but we are at risk if we do not have humility and place our country and our voting completely into the Lord’s hands, this night and once again on the morrow. Let us pray and fast for the very best results. And pray to be able to speak civilly and live in harmony with all our fellow Americans moving forward.
May the Lord bless you today and give you His peace.
