Here in Canada, our next federal election is scheduled to take place this fall; on, or before, October 21, 2019, to be exact.听 In the USA, elections will be held, in some states, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019.
In both our nations, the heat will be on to choose the person who will have the privilege and heavy responsibility of leading each country, and that鈥檚 no small challenge. For someone who once followed politics avidly (and for several years I even had the tremendous privilege of representing our federal Member of Parliament here), I now find myself dreading the next few months. No, I鈥檝e not lost the deep-seated joy of knowing what a privilege we have to live in a free country and yes, I plan to be out to vote but it鈥檚 the other 鈥渟tuff鈥� that鈥檚 become such a source of disappointment and even disgust.
First of all, here鈥檚 what I鈥檝e always enjoyed and still do 鈥� at least in its purest form: first, the presentation of each candidate鈥檚 list of proposed actions; next, a general idea, and preferably, some specifics of how that action would be implemented and; in some detail at least, the means by which these changes would be financed. Simplistic, I know, but when I cast my ballot, those are things that affect my choice. What I can鈥檛 stand about election campaigning is the ugliness to which too many go to undermine their opponents. Know what I mean?
Here鈥檚 what the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians who were at odds with each other:
鈥淚nstead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.鈥� Ephesians 4:32听 Living Bible (TLB)
Whether at home, in the community, in church or in discussing politics, I believe Paul鈥檚 letter to the Christians is applicable.
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