Election Reflection

​4 minute read...

I’ve been prayerfully reflecting this morning on the election results last night; one that was dubbed, ‘the election no one wanted and no one got what they wanted.’  Some are satisfied with the result while perhaps a greater number (especially here in the West) are unhappy with what unfolded.  

1 Timothy 2 has been on my mind, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (2:1-2)

When it feels like your voice isn’t heard and you didn’t get what you wanted it can be tempting to be bitter and angry. Paul encourages Timothy to pray for government authorities which is particularly striking given the Emperor at the time was Nero, someone infamous for persecuting Christians. Certainly, the political structure was different at the time, with the nation as a whole not having a democratic voice.  But he didn’t say, be angry, bitter, and hold the leader with contempt in your heart. He simply said pray because he recognizes that the Christian has a responsibility and hope that goes beyond worldly authority. 

Timothy is told to pray so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. To our Canadian ear that sounds like a prayer that we can do as we please for ourselves. But it is a prayer for our deeper Christian calling, that we could live our lives (vocations) unhindered, as conduits of God’s love to our neighbours.  This is seen as we read the next verses, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  

God’s deepest desire for all people is to come to know Him. God invites us in very tangible ways through our lives, work, and relationships to help others know His love for them.  Praying for our leaders is a reminder of our greater calling as Christians, to be in service to our society.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to keep exercising your rights as Canadians: to seek change and make your voice heard; vote, advocate, speak up--we are so privileged to have these rights to exercise. We may be [deeply] disappointed with the results last night, it's important to voice that, but may we not get so lost in frustration that we forget our highest calling as Christians of loving God and each other. 

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