Out With the Old

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLOBAL SHIFT IN LEADERSHIP

These past couple of years, it seems like we have been getting more and more “elections of the century.” With each election, the divide appears to get a little wider, the candidates seem a little worse, and there is an overall increase in the palpable tension in the air. Gone are the days of choosing a candidate based on who seems more competent, more likable, or someone you’d want to share a drink with. Now, we hear phrases like “the lesser of two evils” or “anyone is better than X.” In the most recent wave of 2024 elections, a new overwhelming opinion has been noticed worldwide: “It can’t be any worse than it is now.”

This outcry has acted as a catalyst for a wave of surprising election results, leading to a decline in incumbent political positions worldwide. But should this really surprise us? According to a study by Pew Research, a startling 74% of people believe that elected officials do not care about their opinions. Additionally, 42% indicated that no political party aligns with their views. This situation is distressing and, as a voter, quite confusing. It’s not difficult to understand why many would prefer to vote for something new.

…a new overwhelming opinion has been noticed worldwide: ‘It can’t be any worse than it is now.’

Why do people feel this way? The past few years have been challenging for many. It seems that a new political scandal emerges and is quickly forgotten each day. Rapid inflation has driven up the costs of groceries, gas, and housing, forcing many people to tighten their budgets. This environment fosters distrust in leaders, as individuals notice that when they are held accountable, there are often few repercussions. As a result, many feel depressed and apathetic.

In this time of tumult, how do we, as Christians, respond? First, we need to recognize one undeniable fact: we serve God and owe loyalty to Him first and foremost. Yet, we must also respect those who are put into power by God. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” words spoken by Jesus to direct us to obey our leaders. However, our leaders won’t be perfect; we accept that they, like us, are sinful by nature. There will not be any party or person that perfectly represents everything, good or bad. We need to understand this. We are not saved by the political party we follow or the candidate we vote for.

So why should we vote? As Christians, if we believe that whatever happens is part of God’s plan and that we often have to choose between flawed options, why engage in the voting process? It’s easy to separate our lives into the secular and the spiritual, treating each domain as mutually exclusive. We might view voting as a purely secular activity and become frustrated when politics dominate our lives. Nevertheless, the Bible calls us to follow laws, pay taxes, and respect authority. We need to merge these concepts: exercising our civic duty demonstrates our respect for authority and allows us to express our Christian perspectives to others.

Ultimately, after the election is over, we may find ourselves grappling with emotions that range from disappointment to frustration regarding the outcome. It’s not uncommon for us to disagree with our new leader’s policies and procedures, especially if those decisions directly contradict our deeply held beliefs or values. Conversely, after the election concludes, many of us may instead experience a wave of excitement and optimism about the future. It’s natural to feel happy when the results align with our hopes and values, especially if the newly elected leader’s vision resonates with our own beliefs. However, even in times of joy, it’s essential that we remember that our primary commitment extends beyond the political landscape. In such times, it’s vital to take a step back and reflect on our position as citizens. While we may live in this nation and participate in its democratic processes, our citizenship here is ultimately secondary; our primary goal needs to be following God and being a citizen in heaven.