Election Day

It’s a big day. There is much to ponder about when I think about election day. I could express thoughts about the mystery of how temporal man entangles in the sovereign directing hand of the Almighty eternal God; the one who establishes all things and does as He, the infinite God, does without the counsel of finite man.

I’ll do that another time.

Today, I thought I would just layout a few of the things I do on days like this.

• With only one exception, when I was out of the country on election day, I always vote on election day. This is not a moral issue for me, this is a tradition. I can respect the benefit it is to be able to vote early or to vote without having to wait in long lines or mailing in a ballot. For me, this is more about the atmosphere. Perhaps like the difference of watching a sporting event at the stadium or sitting at home on a monitor. The outcome of the game is the same but the experience is completely different.
• When I had children in the home I always took them with me. I wanted my children to witness what well informed and responsible citizens do. I wanted them to never miss the experience of what free men do.
• I dress up for the event. I don’t always wear a tie, but I do wear dress shoes, dress pants, button shirt and jacket. This is how I dress for important things. I think voting is that important. Again, that’s not a moral issue, it is simply a practice I do on election day.
• With very few exceptions, I vote with Renee. This is a practice I have enjoyed for decades now. It is a practice that we prepare for and plan together.
• I vote with an understanding that this right to participate in a representative republic is a rare practice experienced among the sons and daughters of men in global history. Of the temporal experiences, voting is an anticipated activity in my household.
• I am a values voter not a party voter. It may be said that one party is closer to my values than another, but my voting practice is not dictated by a party.
• One of the things I enjoy on election day is when the volunteers at my voting center confirms my vote when I place my paper ballot in the voting box with a hearty “Paul Thompson has voted!”
• Today, my vote will be with the ongoing reality that over 2,000 babies have been murdered in my city since 2008, the more than 60 million babies murdered in my country since 1973, and the cowardice of politicians and voters alike. If local elections are the most important then may the holy God give us courageous men and women who will no longer fear men and fear God alone.
• At the end of the day, I will go to the poll, exercise my understanding of duty, and then return home with joy in the Lord who puts all people in all places for His glory.

For the glory of God, alone. See you at the ballot box!