Connectional Reflections
Is there anything positive about our election process?
By Anne Travis
I love changing seasons. When I hear, "It's that season again," I put the phrase in the proper context. Spring might bring beautiful warm days, budding leaves and blooming flowers, allergies, or rains. Fall brings changing leaves, glorious weather, financial campaigns in local churches, football, and – this year hurricanes.
We are in another season right now: the season of elections. To many of us, the election season might have few, if any, positive connotations. Frankly, I get tired of the mudslinging and name-calling, so I rarely turn the television on during election season. I seek other means to educate myself about the issues and stances of candidates.
Now, having aired my frustrations with the negative side of the election season, let me share what I find to be positive. I believe with all my heart that as Christians, we have a responsibility to exercise our right to vote. We enjoy freedoms in this country that many brothers and sisters around the world do not know. We must not squander or ignore our right or responsibility. I mentioned the season of financial campaigns in churches – the time when we think about stewardship. Isn't stewardship about taking care of all that God has entrusted to us? In this country, we are blessed with freedom and an election process that allows us to choose who will govern. Educate yourselves on the issues and the candidates. Please be good stewards of this trust. Exercise your right to vote.
Anne Travis is director of connectional ministries, available at 865 690-4080.
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