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Now is the time for all good men…

I'm embarrassed to admit that all my life I've been a blind voter. I would show up to vote, look over the list, recognize a few names from signs on the street and ads in the mail, and give those people power to make decisions for me. Occasionally I was so ignorant I would just pull a party lever, hoping the party had enough sense to pick good people for me. I would stifle my guilt by thinking , "Well, at least I voted." But today was different.

I'm embarrassed to admit that all my life I've been a blind voter. I would show up to vote, look over the list, recognize a few names from signs on the street and ads in the mail, and give those people power to make decisions for me. Occasionally I was so ignorant I would just pull a party lever, hoping the party had enough sense to pick good people for me. I would stifle my guilt by thinking , "Well, at least I voted." But today was different.

Today, I actually knew enough about the candidates to make an informed choice, and it wasn't that hard. My husband and I attended a community gathering of candidates to hear them speak. We read their literature. We asked questions. It took about an hour, well, add ten minutes for travel time, but it was a quick investment. And instead of tuning in to a relaxing cop drama, we watched several debates. You can learn a lot by watching a candidate interact with others. No, I don't know them personally or even well, but I know so much more than before. What a great feeling to pull that lever, having made informed choices.

Paul admonished Christians in Romans 13:1,2: Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Paul and the early believers had no say in the human authorities they were required to submit to, but we do. I wonder what Paul would say about voting if he lived in the twenty-first century?

To have a say in what authorities one must submit to seems a marvelous privilege, especially since those authorities will have a say in whether believers will be free to practice and share their faith. Not everyone in the world enjoys that privilege and we have no guarantee that we always will. But lethargy is still master. And in the current climate of corruption, meanness, and polarization, it's easier to play the cynic or the ostrich. And, of course, real change is the result of a redeemed heart through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, Christians will be living under the authority and the mercy of the leaders they pick, and the consequences for the gospel are behemoth. I finally get that. Whenever my dear father, a Coast Guard veteran, used to type a "nonsense" phrase to test out his typewriter, he would always type, "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country." He is now in heaven but if he were here, I'm pretty sure that phrase would be his mantra. He fought in a world war. We fight a different kind of war, but the threat is equally real.

Take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and become informed. Jesus said, If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit (Matthew 15:14). Yes, I know, He was talking about the Pharisees, but pits are still dark places. I imagine Jesus would suggest we do all we can to stay out of them. And I'm learning that becoming informed…well, it's just not that hard.

Dr. Edwards is Assistant Professor of Christian Education (Specialization: Women's Studies) at Dallas Theological Seminary and holds degrees from Trinity University, DTS, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is the author of New Doors in Ministry to Women, A Fresh Model for Transforming Your Church, Campus, or Mission Field and Women's Retreats, A Creative Planning Guide. She has 30 years experience in Bible teaching, directing women's ministry, retreat and conference speaking, training teams and teachers, and writing curriculum. Married to David for 34 years, she especially enjoys extended family gatherings and romping with her four grandchildren.