Election Day, 2010

It's election day, and I am once again feeling how I feel in a few areas of my life (hmmm...could it be ME? Nah. That's silly.)...I tend to feel alienated.

Well, maybe that is a harsh term. Maybe it's more fair to use the term "different". I feel different. Not walking lock-step with any one person or party. I, despite the protestations of friends and family, do not think Jesus is a republican. I also don't think he is a democrat. If He chose to speak audibly from the clouds today, I don't think He would speak of the elections at all. He wouldn't speak of taxes, choice or term limits. He wouldn't speak--gasp!--of a "homosexual agenda", illegal immigration or health care. This is very uncomfortable for me to say...because I make it a practice of NOT speaking for God. But I humbly submit to you that these issues are NOT the ones that keep any individual from living an abundant life, nor are the ones that alienate humans from inheriting eternal life.  These issues may be the symptoms--but not the disease.

If each of the above hot-button issues were resolved--somehow supernaturally done away with--then there would be something else. There always will be. It's human nature...at least now it is. There was a garden long ago where this wasn't the case for a brief time. But not now. Now we have the problem of being reconciled to our Creator. THAT is the issue that would be addressed from the clouds, I dare say. To pin one's hopes on a political party to solve issues that, at their core, are deeper...well, that is folly. And to dislike, distrust and vilify those on the other side of issues...that's just a shame.

So, of course, I will vote. But I am staying focused on the fact that my vote will not somehow change the fundamental problems in our country. It may help or hinder the making of some surface changes....but true change that I can believe in?  Nope.