A friend of mine, who comes from an Amish and Mennonite background and lives in Ohio, has expressed her annoyance at the hesitation some folks in her community show towards voting. When she inquires about it, she often hears a familiar retort: “If it’s God’s will…”
This phrase suggests that God will decide the outcome, essentially concluding their responsibility.
Some might say, “If we’re tired of politics, let’s just admit it.” However, using God’s sovereignty to justify our inactivity kind of misappropriates His name into a decision we’ve made ourselves.
This reluctance to engage isn’t just limited to Amish and Mennonite groups. Many Christians opt out of elections but seem more than willing to voice their discontent about the results afterward.
What strikes me as puzzling is the “God will handle it” reasoning because we don’t really apply that logic to other aspects of our lives. I can’t help but think Gracie would have some questions about it.
I pray for Gracie before every surgery. Still, I take her to the hospital. After years of caregiving, I’ve had my fair share of trusting God for things beyond my control. Yet, I’ve also gone to the pharmacy, posed tough questions, and even pushed back on decisions. No surgeon has ever said, “You prayed for His will? That’s great; I can skip scrubbing in.”
We usually grasp the notion of responsibility pretty well when it matters to us. So, why is it so hard to apply that same understanding to voting?
If you hold a biblical objection to a specific vote, that viewpoint deserves to be heard. But the explanation of “God will determine the outcome” only supports why we can trust Him; it doesn’t justify our decision to sit back.
Jesus instructed us to love our neighbors as ourselves. These neighbors live under the authority of officials we help choose. Law enforcement, school boards, and local legislators make choices that affect their lives and finances. A widow who reports fraud needs someone who takes her seriously, and a family with a disabled child requires more than just a sympathetic glance.
We can certainly debate which candidates might best support them. But attributing everything to God’s sovereignty doesn’t clarify why loving our neighbor demands nothing of us.
Jeremiah 29:7 presents an even tougher directive. God instructed His people to seek the welfare of the city where He had relocated them during exile and to pray for it.
The city in question was Babylon.
They had been taken from their homes. If anyone had a reason to say, “This government isn’t our concern,” it was them. Yet, God still tasked them with work there: praying for the city and seeking its welfare.
We reside here. Our children are growing up here. Unlike those in Babylon, we actually have a say in who leads us. So, what’s our rationale for not participating?
Galatians 6:10 tells us, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.” Voting is an opportunity for us to influence who holds power over our neighbors. It should be approached thoughtfully, rather than dismissed with a spiritual saying.
The Bible doesn’t provide a manual for American elections, but it does guide people who have neighbors and opportunities.
No candidate is going to bring about the kingdom of God. Personally, I’d be satisfied with one who understands the job, tells the truth, and recognizes whose money they’re spending. Expecting perfection is just another way to avoid making a choice.
Consider our brothers and sisters in countries where free elections are either restricted or nonexistent. How would we explain that we don’t use our ballots because we rely on God?
When citizens remain passive, they become easy prey for oppression.
Officials don’t lose their authority just because we disengage. They continue to make decisions, allocate funds, and wield power. Our absence only cedes the decision-making process to others.
We can choose to stay home. But let’s at least be truthful about our reasons. If we’re indifferent, let’s admit that. If we’re simply tired of politics, we should say it. However, using God’s sovereignty to exonerate our inaction is misappropriating His name in our choices.
I pray for Gracie. I still drive her to the hospital.
So, pray for your country. And then, do your part.
