A few years ago a gal from another community asked me if I would officiate her wedding. The unique challenge for me about her request was that her fiancé was from Egypt and I wasn’t sure about his faith background. Because of personal convictions, I didn’t feel right about marrying a Christian to a Muslim. After visiting with her and her fiancé, I discovered that he had converted from Islam to Christianity. He professed his trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of his sins and that he was a follower of Jesus.
I happily agreed to marry them, although I was asked not to refer to “Jesus” in the wedding meditation for fear his parents and family would disown him. (As he shared that particular request I was reminded that the choice to follow Jesus is much more costly for some than for others).
After a few months, I officiated the outdoor wedding ceremony with many friends and family present; however, right before the reception I learned that this gal and her new Christian husband went into a large room on the upper level of the facility where the reception was being held and a Muslim Imam officiated a Muslim wedding. The husband now had a dual citizenship and a dual faith. To say the least, I felt betrayed and confused.
I share that story simply to share how the upcoming presidential election has challenged my worldview of being Christian in America. See when you and I make the choice to follow Jesus, we also become dual citizens. We become heirs to the Kingdom of God while at the same time we remain American citizens.
In past elections, it always seemed to me like there was at least one candidate to vote for who had some level of integrity and that professed on some level they would lean on God to guide them. In my opinion, this is not the case in this election, and like many of you, I am left wondering how I can, in good conscience, vote for either candidate. And also like many of you who have expressed the same feelings, I wrestle with voting for the one who is least corrupt.
I begin to wonder many things, like, if Jesus would’ve been born in America, would he even participate in the election. Is it really my responsibility as an American, or as a Christian, to vote for an ungodly leader? Would Jesus have voted for one presidential candidate or another based on who potentially could become a Supreme Court Judge in the future? Regardless of the outcome, will God’s arms be too short to save us?
Should we side with the one who wants to “Make America Great Again,” or should we declare, “Stronger Together, I’m With Her.” And when I vote, what am I actually voting for; the right to keep my guns or the right to end the life of my unborn child? Am I voting with the hope of keeping as much of my hard earned money so as to continue to enjoy the safety, benefits and entitlements of this great “promised land of opportunity”? Would Jesus feel betrayed and confused on how living in America has distorted my understanding of the Gospel?
So, how do I approach my confusion around the election? Well, here it is in part, “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives” (I Peter 2:11-12 MSG).
In Christ Alone, Mike Altena