DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Debates Over. Now What?
© NaimaLett.com/blog

20 days ago, we experienced the first presidential debate.
Yesterday, we witnessed the last.
Now what?

Now, we vote.

Regardless of political party, I hope each one of us has registered and plans to vote on or by Tuesday, November 6th.

Many take it for granted, but the right to vote is one that many Americans have sacrificed their lives for. Men, women, children, black, white, brown, and everything in between… folks have given up their very lives throughout American history to ensure that we could go to the polls today and have a say in who our elected officials are.

This isn’t American Idol.
Or voting for the winner of The Voice.

My mom knew the 4 girls in Birmingham, AL who died in the 16 Street Baptist Church bombing.

The horrific deaths of Addie Mae Collins (14), Denise McNair (11), Carole Robertson (14), and Cynthia Wesley (14) were supposed to send a terror message to the civil rights movement for using the church as a meeting spot. Instead, killing 4 innocent children further galvanized the nation and garnered support to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which ended “unequal application of voter registration requirements”, among other things.

We live in a different time. Thank God.
But we must not forget the sacrifices that were made.

20 days ago, I wrote the blog:
“Don’t talk religion or politics (unless you want an all-out WWF brawl)…”

I wrote to encourage us to learn how to love each other better, through our political differences. I wrote to ask if those of us who follow Christ could actually act like we’re part of the same family, His family – one big, worldwide family. We don’t always agree with family members, but we certainly don’t divorce each other because we disagree politically… or maybe we do? Either way, I wrote to challenge us to work at reconciliation.

We are called to pray for those who are in authority. When Paul wrote to Timothy about leading in worship in 1 Timothy 2:1-6, he gave the following instructions:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

Just as those 4 little girls, and thousands of others lost their lives for others, our Messiah, Jesus, gave His life for us. Paul says God wants all people to come this knowledge of the truth. And in order for them to do so, we – the family of God – must pray, intercede and give thanks for all people, including those in public authority over our lives.

Debates are over.
Now, we vote.
And we never, never cease praying,
Naima

You registered to vote? You praying?
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