As we approach fall, and I contemplate the elections and who shall get the one vote that I have, it's easy to focus on what is wrong with the world. I can look at the candidates and see the flaws that they have and pass around the latest gossip about who is the evilest. But in this age of deception, can we believe the words that anyone says? Can we believe what one party says about the other? Not really.

I recently re-posted an article that was on Facebook about a conspiracy theory. I didn't look up the facts because the person who posted it is educated, and I know them personally. However, that person posted a story that fitted their narrative. It turned out to be riddled with inaccuracies. I had to admit that I made a mistake posting it and delete the post. I lost my credibility with some people.

Now, as I pray and contemplate my thought life and ask God for forgiveness, He reminds me to think about "...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. " (Phil 4:8).

I know this verse. I want to live by this verse. So how do I continue to get sucked into the negative focus so easily? In my past, I have experienced hurts. I developed, as a very young child, a defense mechanism of forgetting about my hurts and redirecting my focus on other things. It can be a good thing. But if we ignore our sins, we cannot ask God to forgive them. After all, He has already forgiven us, hasn't He? Yes, but first we must give those things to Him so that He can deal with them. And we must accept His forgiveness and not continue to dredge the sins back up, thereby giving satan (no cap on purpose) the power to condemn us.

I tend to dump people into that category of forgetfulness also. People move in and out of our lives, but we must celebrate the effect they have had on our lives. Each experience, each person in our lives helps to mold us into the person God wants us to be when we give all to Him. Because our battle is not against "...flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph 6:12-13) When I think about the people who have left, I wish to smile and pray for blessings in their lives. And those people who have a different political view than I do, mostly, I have to believe, think that they are "right". I want to bless their passion even if I cannot bless their opinion. And possibly, I can learn from those people, at least about not being "lukewarm" (Rev 3:16).

So, now that we are "social distancing" and I am not having regular fellowship with other believers, I find myself dumping people I miss into that category. I can't see them, so forget them. I find myself closed off and tending toward the negative. And I have dumped God into that category. I have neglected my time with Him. I have allowed myself to be distracted by the meaningless. But God is the One to whom I must run. It's as easy as turning my thoughts to Him.

And now, at this election time, I must remember The Living Word which has taught me and not forget how far He has brought me. I must not be caught up in the negative, but I must purposely think about the good. So, instead of looking at everything that is wrong, I must focus on the candidates' actions. Who has been in office for a long time, does a lot of talking about others but accomplishes nothing? I cannot support those who only tear down or who are against the principles of God. Whose actions align with God's viewpoint? Who supports families and children? Who supports Israel? Those people will bring God's blessing to this country. He forgives our weaknesses, and He blesses us when we align with His values. As I decide where my votes will go, I must do the work of looking at people's actions. What is their voting record?

We all, because of the sin nature in us, tend to see the negative first and forget to look at what is good and right. We all need to love more and be concerned about how others are doing during this difficult time. Not everyone thinks as I do, and mostly we all get it wrong. We must not think that because we think differently than others that we are better than them. Ideas are either Godly or Worldly. People are either redeemed or un-redeemed. The answer is always Jesus. "God looks down from heaven upon the children of men: To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, for No, not one. " (Psalm 53:2-3) I feel like Paul who says he wants to do one thing but does another. (from Rom 7:15-20).

So, in my candidacy for the school board, the only question I have is, "What do I stand for?" I do not need to find every evil and point it out. I must keep my issues about the job. How can I help our schools? I will represent people who have my viewpoint and those who do not. I will represent the children and teachers and staff, whether I agree with them or not, I will listen to them. The only platform I have is what is good for our schools. I must keep my focus on what is good and right.

And when I am voting, I will be voting for those who have taken action on the ideals that God supports. I have to read 66 books that explain what that is. It is not for me to decide what is right or wrong; it is for me to learn what is right or wrong. My opinion is irrelevant. Political opinions are irrelevant. People, however, are relevant regardless of what they say or do, because God loves them. I have been commanded love them also.

Lord, help me to focus on your love for people and pray for the truth to be known. Help me to do the job you want and accomplish your purposes in me. Help me to do what is right, even when it is hard. I don't need to be popular, I need to be godly.

Amen.