BGCT president: Election 2016; it’s time to vote

It is that time again. Time to cast your vote. This is a right we have in America—the right to vote, the official choice you make in an election by casting a ballot.

René MacielMany say there has never been such an election like this one.

I am not sure that is the case. John Adams felt if the country elected Thomas Jefferson as president, it was all over. Decades later, voters across the country felt if Abraham Lincoln were elected in 1860, the nation could not survive. And throughout Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s four terms, people criticized him, calling him a dictator, saying whoever assassinated him was doing the nation a favor.

We always have had difficult elections and flawed candidates. But for those of us who follow Christ, we cannot be making statements like these. Our hope is not in this election. I will vote; then I will be in prayer. Paul urges us in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for “all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

We have this right to vote, and it is a very important responsibility, but I have an even greater responsibility and allegiance to God. My responsibility and allegiance to God call on me to be a person who first seeks after God and lives in such a way as to represent Christ.

It always amazes me that when elections come around, followers of Christ sometimes lose their identity. They forget the accountability they have to Christ, to exemplify Christ and to be mindful of cultural surroundings and events.

We are to be agents of change—salt and light to our world. Unfortunately, we sometimes add to the chaos by our attitudes and our words, and that includes the comments we make on Facebook. Hebrews 10:24 comes to mind: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Even in this tough election, we have a responsibility to be encouragers, to be people of hope, to pray for our leaders and our country.

I do admit this is a very difficult election, and I will be voting. I am thankful for the country I live in and for the right I have to vote. It is a right we take for granted. I have friends who have become citizens and treasure the opportunity to vote and be counted. They not only treasure their right to vote, but they are grateful they live in a country that gives them the freedom to worship God.

It’s time to vote. It’s also time for us who call on the name of God to show our allegiance and to pray. I am praying God will be honored in how I live and speak and in how I handle my responsibility to my country.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

René Maciel is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and community life pastor at First Baptist Church of Woodway in Waco.