This Election Matters

​November 5, 2024
Election Day across America.

You will not receive from me a political dissertation or personal endorsement of a particular candidate or political party. But I do want to share my heart concerning the future of the next generations that you and I will leave behind when we are gone.
Like it or not, my day will come when I pass life’s baton to my loved ones who will run their race.  
While still here running my race (not as fast as I used to!), I consider myself to be very blessed by the Lord. He has graciously given me and Jo Ann an adult son, daughter, daughter-in-law and son-in-law. I love my “adult kids” with all my Daddy’s heart. I desire God’s best for their lives in every way. In addition, my gray hair has been rewarded with four awesome Roll grandchildren, all under fourteen years of age.   
My family of ten visited us this past weekend. Jo Ann and I are in recovery mode in the aftermath of the kid tornado that hit our home! A bit tired, certainly. Overjoyed having them here, priceless!
 Observing them play with carefree innocence set me to thinking about how our country is destroying innocence. My children’s minds are morally pure. What has happened to moral purity across America? Their innocent, joyful laughter and happy squeals come from uncorrupted hearts. Why is the United States such a sad, sorrowful, depressed, despairing society?
My grandkids uncalculated, unadulterated, uninhibited spontaneity to just enjoy being a kid warms my heart!  I see in each of them untapped, God-given potential. Fearfully and wonderfully made, each pint-sized Roll is precious in their Creator’s sight, highly valued, unique, a one-of-a kind, and significant individual.

• How is it that the American people have so little respect for human life and no idea how to be the person God created them to be and be happy about it?

 My youngest Roll descendants play with each other and get along (most of the time!). Occasional skirmishes and meltdowns are part of the package. How sad that our society is divided by prejudice, bigotry, ignorance, intolerance and hatred.

• To our disgrace, Americans’ do not know how to dream, imagine, play, work, worship, live or succeed together.    
• Children celebrate life. Multitudes of our citizens have lost sight of celebrating life and the One who gives life for now and eternity.

As a Christian, I am deeply concerned and troubled about the moral climate of our culture.
The moral cover we used to have over our nation is all but non-existent. Nationally, America once recognized, revered and respected God’s sovereignty and acknowledged the Lordship of His only Son Jesus Christ. Our forefathers established our republic on Judeo/Christian principles found in God’s Word the Bible.  Faith and obedience to the God of the Bible mattered more than anything else.

• In the past we have been a blessed nation because God blesses nations who call Him Lord.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12   

• This election matters.

Solomon, the wisdom writer, gives us these sober, soul-searching words in Proverbs 13:22.
“The good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”
According to God’s Word, a good, godly man or woman leaves his offspring an inheritance. I believe the inheritance is much more than money or material possessions. Biblical inheritance is also a legacy of holiness, righteousness, morality and faith. The inheritance our descendants need most from you and me is how to love and walk with God by faith, to glorify His holy name, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

• This election is a legacy election.

More than ever before in our nation’s history, your and my vote will set in motion what kind of life our offspring will be allowed to pursue. This is what I am chewing on and praying about before November 5th rolls around.
 What kind of moral cover and spiritual life will our kids and grandkids have? Will they be able to pursue life, liberty and happiness as our founders declared? Will they be able to worship God freely and bless others in His name?
This pivotal election boils down to choices. Will you and I choose to leave our loved ones a legacy of purity or perversion? Morality or immorality? Truth or lies?  Love or hatred? Respect or disrespect? Honor or dishonor? Civility or chaos? Peace or violence? Character or corruption? Order or disorder? Stability or instability? Security or insecurity? Generosity or greed? Unity or division? Acceptance or rejection? Inclusion or exclusion? Edifying speech or filthy, profane demeaning words? Trust or distrust? Selflessness or narcissism? Honor or dishonor?

• My children and grandchildren matter. Their future in America matters.

My friends, my fellow Christians, what in the world are we passing on to our offspring? What kind of inheritance are we leaving them? What will America look like during their lifetime?
As you head to the polling place to cast your vote on November 5th, pray for God’s wisdom and take a picture of your kids and grandkids with you. Before you check a box on the ballot, think about your descendants and the inheritance you will be handing off to them.
Dads, Moms and grandparents, our children and grandchildren are watching us like a hawk.  Bless their hearts. They are depending on you and me to leave them a righteous legacy that matters.
This election matters! It really does.
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously, and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
A Word For Your Week: Vote for your children’s and grandchildren’s future on November 5th.