By Corey Landreth, Lead Pastor
Real Life Christian Church
Special to the Tribune

Every four years following the election half the population of our country is cheering and half is crying. Those cheering believe that their candidate or party has received some sort of mandate… those crying believe the country is doomed. So far, after more than 230 years, neither of those two options have proven true. The problem with politics today is that it’s no longer just about policies, we’ve made it (like sporting events) about personalities and people. We’ve vilified people who vote for “the other guy/gal” no matter what their reasoning.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, He’s your King. And Jesus has given every follower a mandate – a command about how to behave – we’re told to love others. It’s our duty to live, love and look more like Jesus even to those who don’t vote the way we think they should. I’ll let you in on a secret, when you die no one is going to ask you who you voted for in 2024. The only question you will be asked is, “did you know Jesus and had you surrendered to Him as your King?” (You won’t really be asked because… He already knows.)

When your side wins you’re excited and that’s okay. When your side loses it’s devastating, and that’s okay. What’s not okay is to use politics as a weapon against another person. The candidate and policies you vote for or against are of less importance than the person you are trying to look like, Jesus. You, and everyone on the other side of your opinion, are a person created in the image of God with worth and value. We cannot destroy people in the name of our political ideology.

The world needs the Church to light the way, to prove it’s possible to love, serve and sacrifice for those you disagree with, even politically. In this state most people vote Republican, if you align with the Democrats you probably think the Nation is doomed over the next four years, just like Republicans did the last four years. It’s not, no matter who’s in charge.

I leave you with one last thought from Psalm 121:1-3

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.”