People don’t want to vote. If they acknowledged their indifference they would realize and condemn themselves for their vital inaction. However, if you don’t pay attention to the things that affect your life, the way you live will change. Choosing to be unaware of the political strife around you because you do not want the responsibility is simply laziness.
In Patrick Henry’s speech “Illusions of Hope” he says,
“ Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope, to listen to the song of that siren, until she transforms us into beasts, are we disposed to of the number of those who, having eyes see not, and having ears, hear no the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation.”
This describes our current situation accurately. I know of very few instances and circumstances that would rouse the public sufficiently to action against their government. That they would be awakened to the great responsibility which they hold to God and their country, and to be anxiously engaged in the great cause of freedom.
As anxiously engaged in the cause as they are in their sports, work, and shopping. You cannot say that there isn’t enough time in the day to check up on things in your government when it is widely known that everyone spends too much time on social media. I am not talking about arguing your political standpoint on Facebook, I refer to the fact that meeting your representatives and talking to the political figures in your community is the least anyone can and should do. Every election year, the populace clamors for change, and yet they re-elect the same people over and over again. Insanity is defined in one way by someone doing the same thing repeatedly expecting a different result. Hoping for a different result when you tip a glass full of water over, does not mean that the water will stay in the cup just because you want it to.
However, choices change things, and they change the course of history. If not for a better world, then for the improvement of a single character. Information and knowledge separate us from mere animals. Ignoring the capacity to learn and understand “the things which so nearly concern our temporal salvation” is foolish!
Once upon a time, a long time ago, my mother ran for precinct committeewoman. She campaigned hard, and only lost by nine votes. Less than ten people determined what the outcome would be. I know that my life would have been very different, had she won, but God had a different course for our family to pursue. That does not change the fact that part of my life would have been different if ten more people had decided to vote in her favor. The humor connected to this story is that ten years later, my mom now holds the position. She was appointed by the committee, but the irony remains. Letting popular opinion, or our busy lives keep us from being active in politics makes us grow weak as a community and vulnerable to the evils that can and will seep into our precincts, counties, cities, capitals, and so forth. Inaction to do what is right shows the enemy that they do not have any opposition.
When the government is the only god in people’s lives, their attention will be aptly fixed upon it. We who have acknowledged the supreme existence of God, know that there is a higher law, and reasons for fighting for truth and righteousness. If we are to continue to live upon this earth as Christians, we can’t meekly watch from the sidelines when our freedoms and lives are infringed upon by the dark and malevolent forces of evil. Paul, from the bible, reminds us that,
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
It is our responsibility as emissaries of our God, to protect that which He has given us. Our life, and our liberty. It is up to the choices we make individually, that decide who we are, and where we go from here. Vote, or no vote, we are making choices that affect the people around us, I only hope that we choose the better part. Making the best choice rather than just the good choice. Meaning that we are actively trying our best instead of passively going along with what our general morality dictates to us. Using our divine intelligence to instigate change in our own lives, ultimately initiates change in the world and that is what I believe God intends that we do with our agency. So, in conclusion, I note that there is opposition in all things, and always will be. Our job is to continue to speak forth the truth, let us be the opposition. Those who have eyes and voices, to learn and proclaim that which is so necessary to our eternal salvation, have the responsibility to do so.
Works Cited
Henry, Patrick. Illusions of Hope. Speech before the House March 23, 1775.
Paul. “Ephesians 6:12.” Bible, KJV ed.
