Yes, I’ll Vote

Most of my family members are Democrats, yet they know nothing about the party they support.
On Resurrection Sunday this year we had a special visitation in our worship service, but it was not from the Lord. Some people from New York came to my church to make sure we were registered to vote.

Most of the people in this group were on leave from their regular jobs, and their labor union had paid them their regular salaries so they could work on a special project in Florida–encouraging people to vote in the November election.

This sounded like a good thing, but I felt disturbed in my spirit. I would not have been as suspicious had it not been for the fact that this group appeared to be targeting blacks in Florida. And my church is predominantly black.

Because it is normal for visitors to come to our church from around the world, I requested that a representative from this group greet our congregation. A man quickly stood and said his group had come to register voters so that the election would “go the right way in Florida this year.”

The “right” way? I thought. Something didn’t seem right to me.

I politely agreed that people in the inner city need to be encouraged to vote. I also told him we would not tell people who to vote for, but we would teach them what to vote for as believers.

I have always encouraged my members not to vote according to race or political party. We believe government is not a “color thing” or a “political thing”–it’s a “Jesus thing.” Prayer and the Word of God should lead us in every area of life.

The Bible says righteousness exalts a nation (see Prov. 14:34). So when we vote it should be according to righteousness.

Politically speaking, no group is perfect. Our political system is built on
the opinions of men. Spiritually speaking, however, there are some things in life that have nothing to do with our opinions.

Some issues we face in our country today are debatable, such as economic policy and taxation. But abortion and same-sex marriage do not fall into this category. Regardless of your opinion of homosexuality or the massacre of unborn babies, God’s Word is clear on these issues.

We must vote for what is right. The problem is that the god of this world has blinded the minds of people so they cannot discern the difference between what is right and what is wrong.

After it became obvious that my church wasn’t going to play his game, the leader of the voter-registration group furiously signaled to his people to leave the church. They filed out one by one and then stood outside my church during our meeting, cursing and lighting up cigarettes. Their behavior made it clear to me what kind of demonic powers we are dealing with in this upcoming election.

You may think it is odd that a black woman who grew up in the ghetto is taking this stand. We assume that all African Americans vote for Democrats.

Most of my family members are hardcore Democrats, yet they know nothing about the party they support. They are generational Democrats, following the beliefs of their parents and grandparents.

I was like them. But when I got saved I got a new set of values. I also got delivered from the hatred and racism that causes many blacks to hate Republicans.

It amazes me that some people who confess Christianity are more sold out to a political party than they are to Jesus. I thank God this is a new day in which the saints of God will not vote for a man, a race or a political party. God is touching the hearts of men and women to vote as He leads them.

President Bush initiated a strategy in which federal funds were set aside for faith-based organizations to use for social programs. Can you imagine how mad the devil is about federal money being distributed to people of faith who are running drug rehabilitation centers, homeless shelters and soup kitchens? Satan would surely like to get someone in the White House who does not respect the influence of the church.

I have never been involved in politics, but when government leaders say it’s OK to kill babies, and when politicians try to change the definition of marriage, I must take a stand. Will you?