Yes, I believe your vote counts and even ‘makes a difference.’ Yes, I believe that in a representative government, people should do their part, including Christians, to serve their neighbor by thinking about the issues/candidates and submitting their choices. However, many Christian leaders seem to suggest that voting is one of the highest duties of being a Christian in society.

First, not everyone has the ability or desire to think about the issues and truly make an intelligent choice. That’s okay! Please stay home. Second, voting is only one way that we quietly serve our neighbors. It’s not the most important. You could be doing many things to serve your community today besides voting. Of course, you can do both, but if you have a choice, it is undoubtedly better to help the old lady across the road with her groceries.

While a democracy like ours has brought about good things for a larger spectrum of people than other forms of government, democracy, for democracy’s sake, isn’t worth a hill of beans. The tyranny of the masses offers just as many injustices as the tyranny of one. Not to say we should give up on this enterprise. People should participate as they see fit.

Unfortunately, and perhaps unwittingly, the side effect of our love of democracy has brought the nasty business of politics into every aspect of our lives, into our relationships, marriages, Thanksgiving dinners, quiet contemplations, long walks on the beach, and spontaneous celebrations. Marx has won the culture war, whether you are on the left or right—everything is political, and politics consumes every detail of our lives.

So, a grandma is now posting vitriol about one candidate or another instead of writing to her grandkids. Our poetry, films, and paintings exist only to persuade a political opinion. Power play is indeed one aspect of living, but not everything. But I suppose a society that no longer believes in a transcendental meaning of being is left to live solely in the superficial expressions of politics. Political action, voting, and uniting with parties and leaders are all that’s left of living.

But this is Eve and Adam. Instead of marveling at creation in light of the creator or looking into each other’s eyes and enjoying the moment of being, they voted to overthrow their ruler. And here we are, bowing down before the idolatry of our decisions as if living is deciding. 

Kill your idols. You’re made for better than this by a better God than the one you made. Love your neighbor. Kiss your wife. Write a poem about a tree that has seen politicians come and go. Vote if you must. God’s kingdom is here, is coming, and will be here after all our buildings are turned to ashes.