Navigating the vote wisely

A couple of weeks ago I shared about an odd word that kept coming to me as I prayed about the upcoming election season: Obfuscation.

Although I was unfamiliar with the word, I knew its definition would reveal specific direction concerning strategies used to skew the November election in an ungodly way. Therefore, if I was to pray about this election, I needed to have a clearer picture of what we were up against.

Obfuscate means to darken, to put into a stupor, to bewilder, and overall, to confuse.

And as I’ve read about, watched, and discussed the specifics concerning each candidate and his or her platform, ideas, temperament, and insight, I know one thing: Obfuscation is in the atmosphere.

Yes, I am leaning strongly toward a certain candidate, and I am glad he is still in the race for the Missouri primary on March 15. (OK—that gives you a clue about which candidate I won’t be voting for.)

But as I observe and engage in conversations about the candidates, I am struck by the level of deep, gut-level emotion—and at times, downright animosity—that lies just beneath the surface; emotion that at times lashes out at dear friends, relatives, and anyone else within earshot…and I’ve even caught myself at times in the role of “lasher”.

Whatever your viewpoint, this election is pivotal. Its outcome will affect generations of Americans to come; how you vote—and whether you vote—will have lasting repercussions.

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:21-22).

If you lean more heavily on feelings or gut impressions, study the positions of the candidates before you make your final, prayerful decision. If you are a more cerebral individual who intellectually weighs out all of the facts, then amp up your prayer over all the information you’ve gleaned.

Thankfully, you are not alone in your decision; you have a Helper—the Holy Spirit Himself—to assist you as you navigate all the info and myriads of video, soundbites, and analyses of talking heads. He is faithful to direct you in your vote as you lean on Him and take advantage of His guidance. He will help you to discern between truth and error, soul and spirit, wisdom and folly, and prudence versus group think. And perhaps most importantly—and most difficult of all—be willing to let Him redirect you if your thoughts concerning this election have not been His thoughts (see Isaiah 55:8).

And trust God. He is the Good Shepherd. He cares about this nation; He cares about the outcome of this election. As you seek Him and proceed accordingly in your civic responsibility to vote, I believe He will direct your steps and have His way.

Dorothy