- Trust in UK politics is at an all-time low.
- You most likely don’t agree with the values of the candidates, nor the parties represented.
- You live in a constituency which always votes the same way.
- The Lord’s work is far more worthwhile than this political malarkey.
- Politics is a mucky business.
- Nobody else seems bothered so why should you?
There you go! I have sorted the election for you. I have cleared a day in your diary (normally a Thursday) and the headspace required to engage thoughtfully in an election. My work here is done. You are welcome.
Jesting aside, as a Christian engaged in politics, I have heard these excuses on many occasions. However, I do not believe that any of them justify why we should not vote. There is a counter argument that trumps all these reasons in that our vote actually matters to God. God cares about our vote, he cares about this election, and he cares about our government. If our vote matters to God, it should matter to us.
Paul states in his letter to the Romans (Romans 13:1-7) that God has established the governing authorities, and we should be subject to them. Paul also mentions that those in authority are God’s servants for our good. If God has established our government and the elected MPs are his servants, why would we actively choose to disengage? Surely, we should be building what he is building (Psalm 127:1). And, as God’s people we should be instrumental in choosing his servants for the good of our nation. Why do terrible people get elected? Because God’s people fail to show up and vote.
In his letter to the exiles in Babylon, God instructs the Israelites to settle down, plant gardens, marry, give birth, and to seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which he has carried them ((Jeremiah 29:4-7). In 2024, it may feel as though we are exiles in a foreign land. God’s instruction to us remains the same. We are called to bless our communities. At this election, we have an opportunity to choose the representative who we feel is best placed to facilitate peace and prosperity to the area where we live. It would be remiss of us to refuse this invitation.
Whether we feel it or not, we are blessed to live in a democracy. We have the freedom to speak about our political convictions, vote without coercion, and be confident that our vote will be counted in a just way. Many of our brothers and sisters across the world do not have that privilege. Let us not squander this blessing but rather use it and encourage others to participate.
In my role at CARE, I am often advocating on behalf of Christians to have a seat at the table of UK politics. The expertise gained from our social action projects and our unique perspective of God’s better story should be listened to by Parliamentarians and policy makers. Our contributions add to a rich democracy. If we are not willing to participate in the democratic process of voting, then why should be offered a seat at the table?
Finally, voting is the bare minimum of what God expects from us. He wants us to show up and speak up in UK politics. He wants us to birth meaning relationships with our elected representatives, to pray for them on a regular basis, and to campaign for the needs of the most vulnerable on the sidelines of our society. Jesus has commissioned us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the word (Matthew 5:13-14). We cannot be God’s flavours and colours from a distance. We need to be present to have an effect.
So, let’s break off any election lethargy and be involved in this process. Our website is full of ideas of how to engage. Discover your political leaning in our interactive quiz, read the party manifesto analysis, use the prayer guide, read our blogs, attend a hustings, engage with your candidates and of course VOTE!
