Who Voted For This?

When I was a kid, I remember my dad saying on several occasions, "It's funny how the Conservatives have won back to back governments, but I don't know anyone who voted for them". Now I'm seeing a new generation saying the same old things. Who allows these unknown vagrants to vote their conscience?

I often wonder exactly who Jesus would vote for if He had a vote, although I don’t believe that we can obtain a precise answer to that question. I believe he would cast a ballot, out of his, ‘Give to Caesar…’ comment. Again, not saying that he definitely would, only that it’s a probability in my opinion.

Even though God’s kingdom is not of this world, He does care a great deal about the leadership of our world. In the Old Testament, we find two books devoted to sharing the details of political leadership in Israel. You can find them in 1st and 2nd Kings. In The New Testament, we’re told to pray for our leaders.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (New International Version, ©2011)
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

I don’t know if Jesus voted for the Conservative Government. They certainly do embody at least some of what He would stand for, but there are other parties that are more focused on His concern for the poor. What we do know for sure is that God wants all people to be able to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Whether you like the shape of our government or not, I believe we are still afforded the privilege of living peaceful and quiet lives. I believe that we still have the privilege of growing more and more like Christ. I guess if you want to live apart from Christ, you can do that too. I won’t stop you. There’s always room for one more in the pit.


When I woke up this morning, my mind was in a whirl as it thought over the events of last night’s May 2 election. There are things that I liked and things that I didn’t like. I saw Facebook status updates from friends who felt quite defeated. Perhaps you found yourself in a similar spot. What really got me grounded this morning was the time I spent in the word looking at the political landscape in Joseph’s day. It reminded me, that there are worse things. There are worse things than a right leaning government in a left leaning country. There are worse things than having a socialist government.

The people of Egypt had suffered from years of famine. They had used up their own reserves, spending all of their money buying food from the government and given away all of their livestock.

Genesis 47:18-19 (New Living Translation)
18 But that year ended, and the next year they came again and said, “We cannot hide the truth from you, my lord. Our money is gone, and all our livestock and cattle are yours. We have nothing left to give but our bodies and our land. 19 Why should we die before your very eyes? Buy us and our land in exchange for food; we offer our land and ourselves as slaves for Pharaoh. Just give us grain so we may live and not die, and so the land does not become empty and desolate.”


There are things that each of us don’t like about certain types of governance. Capitalists can’t stand the notion of communism. Liberal minded people don’t like the thoughts of living under conservative rule. Here in Egypt, the people willingly handed themselves over as servants to the government; selling their very bodies along with their land.

For me, it’s a picture of the worst kind of slave/communism. In North America, we have a very strong aversion to slavery. However, given the choice between selling themselves and death, servant hood wasn’t such a bad idea. How fortunate we are that our choices aren’t nearly as severe.

What do you think? Are there worse things than slavery? Are there worse things than a Conservative majority government? Are there worse problems than having a polarized electorate? Are there worse things than losing your seat? I believe there are.

In Christ, these tiny political games are but a temporarily necessary
diversion. Somebody has to do the job of leading this country and I’m thankful for the men and women who have stepped up to the role. I’m thankful that they are filling those necessary roles, because they give us the opportunity to live peaceful and quiet lives as we move towards godliness and holiness in Christ.

Congratulations Stephen Harper on your win. I pray that you will lead as a man after God's own heart. Congratulations Jack Layton. I hope that you fill the office of official complainer to the best of your ability. (No. That isn’t a shot at you. It’s what the opposition is supposed to do.) I feel for you Mr. Ignatieff. You seemed to do the best you could. Thank you for demonstrating your humanity last evening. Congratulations Elizabeth May. NOW I’ll be happy to watch you in the leader’s debates. As for Mr. Duceppe, I am sad for your loss.