I was coming out of my doctor's office today and walking pretty briskly to get back to work. On my way out the front door, I almost walked into an elderly man. I stopped quickly and said, "Oooo" "Excuse me," he said. "Oh no, take your time," I said. "Oh, he will," said a woman sitting in a chair behind me.  I had not noticed her; she startled me a bit.  We all laughed. "We should all probably do more of that," I replied.  "Have a nice day everyone," I quipped as I walked out the door. 

Immediately, I asked a question in my mind, "Are they voting for the Republican?" The question came to my mind spontaneously. I was almost embarrassed that this was my first thought after that exchange, but more and more lately, in this heated political season, I wonder this when I encounter people; especially the strangers I pass in the Wawa, the convenience store, the gas station, the grocery store or at work.  "Are they going to vote for the Republican?" I wonder if I am the only one who asks that question. 

Then it hit me. The question that raised its ugly head, "Are they voting for the Republican?" is none of my business. Not because their vote is personal, but because their vote is temporal.  Who anyone votes for will affect them for a few hours, until the election result is announced, or a few years, if that person wins.  It may even affect the rest of their life.  But  even that is a time-sensitive proposition.  

There is a better question that I should be asking about every person I meet. The question is the most important question that I could pose, because the question is an eternal proposition. It is a question the answer to which has everlasting consequences. The question is what should have come to my mind today at the doctor's office, and every day through the day. The question is not, "Are they voting for the Republican", but the question is, "Are they saved."  

For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”” 
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

This world is always trying to entangle us into questions and discussions that do not matter in the grand scheme of things. Sure, we should all vote. It is a right that many of our ancestors fought and died for.  But who anyone votes for and who wins, for that matter, does not matter. Contrary to what the pundits say, the world will not explode and we will not die because the person we dread wins the election. If the world did not end for the Israelites when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, and if it did not end when Germany came under Hitler's spell, then neither of these two candidates will end our lives either.  Despite how contentious and deplorable this current US election is, and despite the changes that the next president will bring to this country, one essential thing will not change: on November 9, 2016 and beyond, God will still be in control. No matter who wins the presidency, the president will only be able to do what God allows. After all, God established government and allows for a country's leader to govern. As the Bible says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭21:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) In this we can all take comfort and can focus on what the question is: "Are they saved?" 

God is the ultimate King and leader of every country. If we were to dare to believe that, than we should be much more concerned about whether the people we encounter are among the elect of God rather than which candidate they will elect.  To do that, we will have to slow down, take our time, like the elderly man I almost ran into today, and mentally focus on asking the question that matters. We must focus on caring about if the people we meet will suffer in hell's fire for eternity rather than if their vote will bring about a suffering economy or poorer race relations.  It is not our election that matters. It is God's election that lasts well beyond even a two-term president's policies and laws.  

We should not rudely peep into the election booth to view a secret ballot, but we should boldly ask and pry into the election condition of our fellow men and women. When we see a stranger, we have to be mindful of the question we ask ourselves about them. That question must not be the popular question of this present time, but the question is one to which the answer surpasses the limits of time. We must not even be lured into worrying about our own personal condition if the country elects a dangerous president. Instead, we must concern ourselves with the spiritual condition of humanity by asking and acting upon the right question.  

The right question is: "Are they saved? 

Be Well, Be Blessed, Trust the Savior, Ms KimParis © 2016 mskimparis.com/blog