At the time of writing it’s about three weeks to election day – countdown! Not long to go before we’ll all be asked to have our say on who we want as our local MP, and our thoughts on who we want governing the UK. We are fortunate indeed in this country to be able to go to the polls in safety, and know that our vote will be counted. When thinking about who to vote for, it’s easy to have strong feelings on these matters – perhaps we have always voted a particular way, or our parents have. It’s right and good to have the integrity and honesty to be able to discuss things and disagree about political matters. It is also important to be able to be friends with those with whom we might disagree.
This year, before we dive into ticking a box which we’ve always ticked, let’s think about the teaching of Jesus – the importance of honesty and kindness.
Jesus values honesty and integrity. He teaches us to be people of our word, who will do what we say, and be truthful when we make mistakes. As we vote, we do so looking for leaders of honesty and truthfulness – and yes I hear you at the back – how can we trust any politician? We look for those who look out for others; those who will not forget the poor, or those in need.
Let’s think about what Jesus said about kindness in Matthew 25:
Then they will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’And he will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’
Jesus’ heart here is clear for the loneliest and least. There is a real sense that the way we welcome the stranger instead of casting away, the way we treat the hungry rather than point the finger, and serve the poor rather than ignore them, shows the depth of our worship to Jesus. Even if we don’t have a Christian faith, at the very least you could call the above common decency or compassion.
So this election season, we pray for those who will lead our country – we pray for them to have depth of honesty, compassion and kindness. And we acknowledge that, wherever we place our cross on the 4th July – there is one cross which is eternal. One cross which doesn’t change every few years. One cross that has nothing to do with our preference and is all about Jesus – the God of kindness and compassion.
Jo Hurst