Jeremiah
29:7 Common English Bible (CEB)
7 Promote the
welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to
the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare. Jeremiah 29:7,
CEB
The
year 2020 has been a challenging, strange and painful year for many, to say the
least. To date, over 210 thousand people in America have succumbed to COVID-19.
Many small businesses and individuals have been devastated by the economic
avalanche prompted by the pandemic. Families have not been able to mourn and
celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died in the ways to which they are
accustomed, honoring their sacred traditions. Many places of worship have had
to shift from in person worship to some form of technological means. The nation
is deeply divided along racial, theoretical, economical and ethical lines.
On top of all of
this, we are in the throws of one of the most contentious presidential
elections in modern history. Many are so exhausted and daunted that they are
losing hope. Numbers of young people are looking on in disbelief. Some have
even suggested that their votes will not matter. But before you join the
“What’s the point” club, consider the following reasons why we all should vote…
1. Voting is your way
of having a say… When you cast your vote for presidential candidates, judges, levy’s, council
representatives, and any number of issues, you are adding your voice of
agreement or disagreement. Your vote could literally change the course of
history! When you neglect voting, you are voting by default!
2. Voting is your
responsibility as a citizen… Everyone can complain. Everyone can talk
about what is wrong. But when we vote, we participate in the election process.
When we don’t vote, we have no right to complain about the way things are. To
be a responsible citizen is to take part in the process.
3. 3. Voting empowers
you to help make a difference… In the words of our focus scripture
verse, “Promote the welfare of the City…” When we vote, we have an
opportunity to promote, move forward and positively influence the places where
we reside. Issues regarding health care, jobs, wages, fair and equal standards,
diversity, immigration, the environment, education, etc., all rely upon the
voices of the people. Congress is moved by their electorate. They represent us!
When we don’t vote, we leave them to their own devices and those of the
lobbyists. Money, not your best interests govern.
4. People died so
that we could vote…
Blood was shed. Bodies were beaten. People mobilized and marched. Individuals
were attacked by dogs, blasted by water hoses, burned, lynched, humiliated,
jailed…all so that all citizens in America would have the right to vote. Voting
rights were EXPENSIVE to obtain. We must honor, be grateful for and
appreciate this right, not only with words, but with the action of voting.
5. People die
unnecessarily when we don’t vote… There are those who suggest that young
people aren’t moved by the reality that people died for their right to vote. If
you feel that way you must consider that people are dying unnecessarily when you
don’t vote. We need your voices to help demolish antiquated, unjust, racist
systems that perpetuate models of brutality and death. We need your votes to
help improve upon and expand systems that show promise, but need an overhaul.
You need to vote, if for no other reason, than that you should be concerned
about the country and the planet that will be left for you.
6. You should vote
because your life depends upon it…The Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people,
“Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare…”
Your future, our future and our welfare, our wellbeing, our prosperity, our
health depends upon the communities, nation and world we build. Here in
America, that is determined by our vote. Our prayers must be coupled with
our action of voting. Some will argue that the Electoral College makes the
determination and not our vote. But remember, the Electoral College is influenced
by our vote. When we vote in mass, we can far surpass the 270 electoral votes
for a president to win. Also remember, the president is only one branch of a
three-branch government (Executive, Legislative and Judicial). Even when our
preferred leader does not win, we can still influence outcomes by having a
balanced legislative branch (the House and the Senate).
Use
your voice. VOTE!!!
In
Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor
Chris
www.shepastorchris.org
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