Field guide · Crossings
Us with Godand Elections
Forecast: high winds of opinion, heavy cloud cover on social media, and a calm center for those who look up.
Four tired ways to walk
Each has some truth in it. None of them is the whole story.
Under GodSheep that hide from the Shepherd
If the wrong side wins, God will judge the whole country, and it’ll be partly my fault.
Over GodSheep that know the way
Get the right people in office and the right principles in place, and everything will be fine.
From GodSheep that follow the grass
I want God to give me the outcome I want, and if he doesn’t, I’m not sure what he’s for.
For GodSheep trying to be the sheepdog
This election is the battle for God’s kingdom, and I have to win it for him.
Our first citizenship is in heaven, so we can vote without fear.
Paul told the Philippians that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). That doesn’t make us careless about earth. God told exiles in Babylon to seek the peace of the city where they lived and to pray for it (Jer 29:7). So we vote, we pray for all who lead (1 Tim 2:1–2), and we keep our deepest trust for him alone. Then we go love our neighbors, including the ones whose yard signs we didn’t pick.
Where the Shepherd isHe is Lord over every outcome, and his kingdom doesn’t ride on any ballot. “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
Before you vote, pray by name for leaders on every side, and for one neighbor who sees things differently than you do.
Lord, take my fear about this election and give me your peace.
Fellow travelers
People in Scripture who walked this ground before us.
Keep walking
- With God: Sheep that know his voicethe posture every entry points to
- Which Way Are You Walking?a short self-check
- The Field Guideevery entry, by terrain, weather and crossing