Whomever you intend to vote for, please go vote.  Many Americans have fought, bled and died in order to secure your right to do so.  The rhetoric has bee intense this election season.  Some evangelicals are treating this election like it is the end of the world... again (Clinton/Bush, Clinton/Dole, Bush/Gore, and Bush/Kerry all over again).  My faith, and my God are too big for that.  Whichever candidate wins the election, my God will not be surprised, and his redemptive plan will not be thwarted.  Nevertheless, as citizens of this great country, we owe it to ourselves, our countrymen, and our forefathers to get out and vote. 

There are people who will tell you that you are in sin if you vote for Obama.  There are others who will tell you that you are in sin if you vote for McCain.  Still others say you are in sin if you vote third party.  Though I have been accused of a couple of these, I have said neither (nor would I).  That is not my place.  On yesterday, I stood before the people in our congregation and simply exhorted them to go and vote (at the end of the service, after a sermon that had absolutely nothing to do with the election and absolutely everything to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ!).   

I have thoroughly enjoyed blogging and interacting with people about this election.  I have learned a great deal.  Some of it has been quite disturbing, but much of it has been rather encouraging.  Most encouraging of all has been the freedom I have enjoyed.  I have not had to worry about armed officers storming my home, or raiding our church.  I have not had to worry about censure, or reprisals (politically speaking).  I may have lost a few friends, but I had too many to start with.       On the other hand, I discovered that people really do read (and in some cases even enjoy) my blog!  All in all, it has been a great experience. 

My goal in all of this has been simple.  I want to help Christians THINK BIBLICALLY when it comes to politics.  I have tried to state and restate my points/positions as they have frequently been distorted and/or misrepresented in both mainstream and Christian media.  I have tried to be biblical and even-handed.  All this in an effort to get believers to act like believers when election day rolls around.  Our culture is in serious trouble.  And while this election will absolutely not fix the trouble we’re in, it is an important part of what it means to be a free people.  Tomorrow, the American people will make a statement about what they believe America should be.  Don’t let others (including me) speak for you.  Go let your voice be heard.  Vote your conscience.  Vote your convictions.  But by all means... VOTE!

VB