Well, it’s finally here.  Election Day 2012 – one of the most highly anticipated election days ever.  President Obama vs Governor Romney.  Who will win?  Where is this nation headed in the next four years?  What happens next?

Those who know me know that I am not at all into politics.  As I wrote about before, this was the first year I’ve ever actually watched a presidential debate.  I’ve always been more interested in my local sports team than in my local government (and speaking of which, please send up a prayer for my Redskins – they need it these days!).

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a strong opinion on this election and where our nation is headed after it’s over.  My opinion this year is very strong and I couldn’t let today go by without expressing it and making it abundantly clear.

We need unity, not disunity.We need respect and understanding, not name calling and insulting.We need to come together and build up our nation, not tear it apart at the seams by division.We need to behave better than we are right now.

The majority of the people are going to polls today with an attitude of hostility and anger.  It seems like the majority of us aren’t so much voting for a particular person because we believe in them, but rather we’re voting AGAINST a particular person because we hate their guts.  This election has instead turned into who I DON’T WANT in office.

“That guy’s a bum.  He’s going to ruin this country if he wins. He doesn’t care about _______ (fill in the blank with whatever you just happen to care most about).  He is the worst.  He is evil.  He is even worse than a Dallas Cowboys fan!”

Sorry Cowboys fans.

And even worse.  Nowadays, the name-calling and insulting isn’t just reserved for the actual candidate.  Now the hostility is aimed at anyone who just supports that candidate!

Just yesterday on Twitter, someone tweeted that he just did his absentee voting and voted for a certain candidate.  Nothing wrong with that right?  That is what voting is for.  He had his opinion on who the best candidate is and he voted for that person.  THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO RIGHT?

Well, oh my goodness, you should have seen the hate that came flying at him after that.  People who obviously didn’t support that candidate said some of the worst things that you could imagine about this person.  And why?  Because he expressed his opinion on who he voted for… WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT VOTING IS ALL ABOUT!!!

I have my opinion.  You have yours.  I won’t hate you for yours.  Don’t hate me for mine.  That is what being in America is all about.  That is what makes our country better than anywhere else.  You are allowed to disagree.  You are allowed to have an opinion.  And you should be allowed to express that opinion without fear of insult or hate.

AM I RIGHT?

In addition to upholding the principles upon which our nation was founded, we as children of God have an even higher standard to uphold – one that forbids us from this type of behavior.  We are sons of the Most High.  We are daughters of the Great King.  We are the children of God and if we’re His children, then our behavior must be up to par with His standards.

“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.” (Luke 6:35)

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven”  (Matthew 5:44-45)

Today is Election Day and what happens today is going to determine the direction of this country for the next 4 years and beyond.  But how you represent yourself and how you represent your Father in heaven might have even greater ramifications than that.

What this country needs is to unite together and work as one.  Yes we have differences and we won’t always see eye to eye, but that doesn’t mean we can’t come together in a spirit of peace, love and respect.  That’s the only way that we will regain our strength as a country and be able to live in the blessing of God.

I’ll leave you with a verse that I read this morning during my quiet time that I believe reflects God’s opinion on this election.

“Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”  2 Corinthians 13:11