When I was in the Navy, I was stationed in Scotland for two years. So Thursday night I stayed up late to watch the early returns on their vote for independence from the United Kingdom.
What I found fascinating was the extraordinary high turnout – nationwide 84.6%.
In contrast, the official turnout in the latest election in Orange County, Florida, where I live, was only 16.31%.
Unfortunately, this percentage is not unusual for a primary, but this election included a final vote for raising the sales tax. To me, that item alone is sufficient to justify higher turnout.
As a follower of Jesus, I know that my first allegiance is to God. Philippians 3:20 says, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
But the Bible also clearly commands us to be responsible members of our society. In Romans 13:1, 7 the Apostle Paul says: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. . . . Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”
What does this passage have to do with voting?
We are respectful and honor both God and country when we vote. Good citizenship, both heavenly and in our nation, requires us to exercise our privileges in a worthy manner. As stated in Christian website:
“. . . our responsibilities are first and foremost to be obedient to God. In America, a democratic republic where individual citizens have the ability to change and influence government by voting or by being politically involved when appropriate and in appropriate ways, part of being a good citizen is voting and having whatever positive influence we can on government.” Read more:
http://www.gotquestions.org/patriotic-Christian.html#ixzz3Ds4ec9tc
As the general election approaches, we each have a duty to educate ourselves about the issues and candidates, pray about how we should vote, and then do it. Please encourage others to do so as well.
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When I was in the Navy, I was stationed in Scotland for two years. So Thursday night I stayed up late to watch the early returns on their vote for independence from the United Kingdom.
Lines from Lynn 