Election Day

This morning, as I woke early (to vote--Chris and I both had busy days and it would be our only chance) I checked Facebook, etc. as usual (yes, I generally check Facebook before I get out of bed--my little reassurance that nothing totally insane has begun before my eyes are fully open).

As I did, I saw postings from Facebook friends--past classmates, current colleagues and church members, family, etc., and I was struck by several things as this Election Day got underway. First of all, I think it's pretty awesome that I have such a variety of Facebook friends that I've accumulated over the years. This morning, my Facebook friends (and some last night) were posting support for a whole range of candidates (indeed, many of my friends are all around the country), and some were even out early on the campaign trail. I've got friends on staff of Republican and Democratic officials, and no doubt some who don't care either way (understandably, that last group hasn't actually posted much on the occasion of Election Day). So it was kind of cool--my own little political commentary right there on my Facebook iPhone app.

The other thing was I struck by this morning was imagining how my life would be different on a day like today if I had stayed on my first path--politics. I remember how involved I was in politics in high school (heck, even in elementary school I remember being somewhat politically aware--which was interesting since my parents often disagreed with each other politically, and when I agreed with one I obviously disagreed with the other--and I don't remember EVER getting slack for that from either of them). Indeed, though my politics today probably line up pretty well with both parents (their views are more similar now even to each other than they used to be--maybe a consequence of their divorce) at least at annual conference Dad and I still tease each other about canceling out each others' votes--not always but sometimes. It's a family tradition--he did it to his father, so now it's my turn, right?

You know what, though, it's pretty awesome, I think, that I got to grow up with an understanding of the importance of the political process (to some degree at least) cached within the understanding that we each get to make our own decisions. I certainly disagreed with my parents (and heck, at least they knew I was too young to vote anyway) but I don't ever recall being belittled or disrespected for whatever position I took--though I'm sure some were just plain silly. Come to think of it, though my parents often disagreed with each other, I don't really ever remember either belittling each other for their political views. I knew they disagreed at times, but that always seemed to me an appropriate thing.

So today as I saw many of my friends so actively engaged in the political process, beyond voting, I know I was right there with them until I heard my call to ministry late in high school. I felt God was calling me to help people in a different way, and I have never regretted that choice. There is something of a letdown amidst all the excitement of a day like today that I'm not out on the streets with them, but then again, come Easter, I'll be the one up early preparing for the "big day."

It's also strange, having grown up so politically-interested, to be now in a profession where, at least by my approach to it, I am not at liberty to actively advocate for any candidate or party. Now, some pastors choose to be more active outside the pulpit, but I choose not to--my life is about sharing Christ with people, and while that doesn't mean I can't care or advocate for issues, I also don't need to alienate members by choosing one candidate or another. Certainly IRS rules prevent me from doing so in the pulpit. I do not, however, think a pastor's work is limited to the pulpit, so I choose to be very cautious in any public forum--including Facebook.

Pastors today do not have the treasured status they once had, but I still think we ought to take our positions seriously. Some pastors, for this reason, advocate for particular parties or candidates. I choose not to...because I don't think it ultimately helps anyone for a pastor to be campaigning.

So here I am, on this day of days, which a few years ago I might have expected would be my biggest day all year, and I have done my part in the day. I have voted. I have even encouraged others to vote. But I have not advocated for any candidate and I won't. No yard signs for me. No Facebook endorsements. No snarky comments (though I'm really good at those, I just keep them limited to immediate family-sharing). Because ultimately, there are a lot of really good people whose life didn't change course as mine did. And I choose to believe they're trying their best to do a good job. They might have some very different ideas--some which I may disagree with passionately. But I believe in our nation's democratic principles, and that means I get to find a way to "make it work" no matter what today's outcome is.