Bibles and Ballots

[00:00:00] There is one topic this podcast has never discussed, and for good reason. Today, all bets are off, along with the gloves. Tune in for more.

[00:00:14] Hello and welcome to MoMo634, the daily podcast chock-full of faith-filled inspiration and motivation. Please like, share, and subscribe. MoMo634, Motivational Moments, just for today.

[00:00:44] There is one topic that, when I began this podcast, I initially made a pact with myself not to discuss. One reason is because of my day job. I'm surrounded by it all the time.

[00:00:59] Secondly, I wanted to focus more on the intersection of faith and mental health, and this topic tends to eat away at both.

[00:01:07] Yet, they have all converged this time of year. Faith, mental health, and the industry I actively work in. Politics.

[00:01:19] Don't get me wrong, I'm not ashamed of what I do. However, because mental health stigma is real and encompasses the whole of humanity, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or, yeah, political affiliation, I've wanted to make this a place where all could find support.

[00:01:39] Additionally, it's easy enough to find places to discuss politics, if one truly wants to, but harder to find places that uplift, motivate, encourage, and or offer neurodivergent support from a Christian worldview.

[00:01:55] But because this time of year tends to spawn discussions with the possibility to devolve into divisiveness, and because the focus on recent episodes has been on kindness, compassion, and boundaries,

[00:02:09] I feel it's important to say, no matter where you sit on the political spectrum, it's never okay to demean someone's followers as deplorable, garbage, demon rat, and one I especially hate, libtard, or that female followers of a specific candidate aren't smart and intelligent.

[00:02:32] As a social media consultant, I am online all day, every day, as part of the job.

[00:02:40] I am able to scroll through tons of comments I do not like, nor do I agree with, without resorting to name-calling or demeaning others' intelligence.

[00:02:51] And yes, that falls across the whole of the political spectrum.

[00:02:55] The Bible says that we are all made in His image.

[00:03:00] Further, the latter part of Romans 8 says nothing can separate us from God's love.

[00:03:06] Yes, sin can separate us from His presence.

[00:03:09] But He loves all of His creation and died for them in the form of His Son Jesus.

[00:03:16] That was regardless of gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and yes, political affiliation.

[00:03:24] And really, we don't have to ask ourselves, what would Jesus do?

[00:03:29] We know.

[00:03:30] He died for the very people who put Him on the cross, those who craved political power and access.

[00:03:38] He willingly laid down His life for those who railed at Him, openly mocked Him, beat Him, and spat upon Him.

[00:03:46] Further, regardless of candidates and their personalities, there are issues I call kingdom issues that are biblical principles, not political fodder.

[00:03:59] These issues are important to people of faith.

[00:04:03] Recently, after seeing a spate of the usual memes I see around this time, I had a discussion with a friend because some feel strongly that others shouldn't feel strongly about political issues.

[00:04:17] As I said, I see them as kingdom issues.

[00:04:20] I told my friend that I could understand that if, as in Old Testament times or even in Jesus' time on earth, people had no choice in their rulers.

[00:04:30] But we do.

[00:04:32] And since we can choose, we should.

[00:04:35] If nothing more than just the issues that affect our ability to live out our faith.

[00:04:41] All of this being said,

[00:04:44] 1. Be kind.

[00:04:46] Disagree about issues, but do so respectfully and in love as Jesus would.

[00:04:54] Yes, even when others are unkind and cruel.

[00:04:58] When He was reviled, He did not revile others, but instead prayed for them.

[00:05:05] And who knows?

[00:05:06] As 1 Peter 3 says,

[00:05:10] 2.

[00:05:11] Others may see how you live out your faith.

[00:05:15] 2.

[00:05:16] We have the right to choose our leaders and address grievances or issues that pertain to our faith.

[00:05:23] Did you know that, according to MyFaithVotes,

[00:05:27] one in three people professing to be Christian do not vote?

[00:05:31] That translates to approximately 25 million people who do not vote.

[00:05:37] Can you imagine the change we could make if everyone voted biblical principles?

[00:05:43] Which leads to three.

[00:05:45] Let the Bible be your guide.

[00:05:47] We cannot vote for things God calls sin.

[00:05:52] Candidates are not perfect, as humans are not perfect.

[00:05:56] But there are positions and policies that generally align with Scripture and our ability to continue to freely assemble and speak.

[00:06:07] Having said all this, I know this world is not to be a utopia.

[00:06:13] I also know that no matter who occupies the highest office in the land, God is still king.

[00:06:21] But if we have been blessed with the freedom to decide, we should exercise it.

[00:06:27] After all, that right for all of us has been hard won in many cases.

[00:06:33] Our meme for today says,

[00:06:36] In choosing an earthly leader, don't forget to honor your heavenly one.

[00:06:41] Let's hear from you on this topic.

[00:06:44] Sound off below.

[00:06:48] Thanks for listening to Momo 634.

[00:06:51] Motivational moments just for today.

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