The Most Important Election -- Ev-ver!

Election cycles highlight the urgency of the mess we're in. In each cycle we hear claims the present election is the most critical that ever has been, and that the outcome will herald either the demise of the republic or its resurrected glory.

People of faith often find in political parties a home for their hopes, and, therefore, a home for the Divine agenda. For many of the faithful, supporting and ultimately voting for a particular candidate becomes an exercise of religious fervor, indeed, a test for soundness.

All stuff and nonsense, of course.

A political election stands as the will to power: the attempt of one party to gain and exercise power over opposing parties.

"The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your slave." -Jesus, to his followers

Now.

There is one election that counts for something. God elects. God, indeed, elected an eternity ago. God elects to immortality whom he qualifies. God qualifies through Christ. There is one party to which Jesus, the Christ, calls: a party to deny self, to take up one's cross, and to follow him. There is one Divine agenda: to bridle one's tongue, to care for orphans and widows, to keep oneself stain-free from the world.

[Originally posted mostly elsewhere, October 19, 2016]