Stewarding Your Vote

9 November 2022

“Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24.15

As you read this Wednesday, you’ve already voted. Maybe you know the outcome of the elections. But maybe not. Some races were neck and neck. Whatever the case, I pray for your peace, satisfaction, and sense of hope. In church every week, we use Jesus’ words to pray, “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” If the Lord’s Prayer steers our hearts, that means we’re voting for candidates we judge have the best shot—out of the pool available—for working toward kingdom values of love and justice. May the Holy Spirit guide all our elected officials as instruments shaping as much of God’s will as possible.

This Sunday is another Decision Day. We decide whether we’ll accept the invitation to present our Faith Giving Intents on the altar during worship as part of our Feed My Sheep Initiative. We decide to what extent we want to support the resurrection work God is doing through us collectively at COS.

On one had, “Decision Day” at COS is far easier than the one on Tuesday. Jesus’ agenda is a slam dunk. There is not one issue on his policy platform with which I disagree. LuAnne and I trust that every dollar we share with the Lord’s work will bear fruit of joy for the world. It’s thrilling and energizing. Yet, on the other hand, Decision Day at COS is tougher. On Tuesday, I picked candidates to do the work for me. If they turn out to be bums, I can put the blame on them. But on Sunday, I feel that it’s Decision Day for myself in a way. LuAnne and I are making decisions about ourselves: how we share, trust, worship, and partner with the Lord. May the Lord give all of us courage and good cheer as we discern.

“Decision Days” on both Tuesdays and Sundays are full of emotion. But thank God that in America, we’re blessed to enjoy/face them. Unlike many countries, in America, we get to choose our political leaders. And in America, we get to choose how healthy our congregations are what we say about ourselves in our generosity. (In countries like Germany, Finland and Norway, congregations run off taxes).

The stewardship team’s favorite definition is this: “Stewardship is everything I do after I say I believe in Jesus.” Everything.

So, God bless your stewardship as you voted for the best leaders possible on Tuesday.
God bless your stewardship as you decide how freely you will show forgiveness.
God bless your stewardship as you encourage frequently those around you.
God bless your stewardship as you take measures to protect our unique teeming-with-life environment that is “one in a trillion” considering all of God’s celestial bodies.
God bless your stewardship as you enjoy the body, time, relationships and life God has gifted you.
God bless your stewardship as you take time to reflect deeply on the challenges of our days and how you might be a positive influence toward improvements.
And yes . . . God bless your stewardship as you participate in Decision Day 2023 at COS this Sunday, when all of us together get to say YES to Jesus’ invitation to experience his joy and life by “Feeding Jesus’ Sheep” through our time, talent and treasure.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, thanks for freedom. Send your Holy Spirit upon my family, congregation, and world, so that in our freedom we vote and steward possibilities in ways that please you, bless your world, and make you proud of us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.