Day 79 - Who gets your vote?

Today, for many in Britain, it is Election Day - the most significant of elections since the General Election of May 2024.

Scotland and Wales will be electing representatives for their national Parliaments whilst many Local Authorities and Mayoral positions will be elected – 5000 seats across 136 councils.

Candidates for these elections have been canvassing for wide ranging issues depending on the type of election be it local authority, mayoral and in the case of Scotland and Wales, devolved government.

They matter because they decide who runs everyday services such as roads, waste collection, social care, affordable housing, planning, libraries, parks and recreation, to name but a few. In the case of Scotland and Wales education and healthcare are amongst the issues.

As Christians, if we are eligible and able to vote, we should do so and prayerfully cast our vote with Christian values in mind. Voting as a Christian recognises that we are part of a society and political system and shows concern for who will lead us and influence our society for good. We should question ourselves, what do we know about the issues at stake and the candidate’s position? Elected representatives can debate and influence policy decisions within our communities so it is important to be informed. Do such policies reflect values of Christ and the forbearance of God’s Kingdom in our local communities? What values should we be promoting and making a standpoint on within our local communities? Do they reflect those of Jesus?

Going with the popular view is not necessarily the right way forward and we are called to get off the sidelines of political debate and show up and make a stand for what is right.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

During Jesus’s ministry he spoke up for the marginalised, he associated with those others deemed unworthy of support, he became angry at the violation of the temple. He taught about love and lived humbly, but also spoke up for truth and justice. We should do likewise.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly;

defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8

As well as voting, how aware and engaged are we of issues affecting our local community, particularly the issues that affect the lives of those who are struggling in our communities. Are we willing to vocalise our concerns, protest if necessary and get involved practically in making a difference in our locality? Let’s not hide away in the comfort of our own homes and streets (and even churches) but get involved. Could our involvement as a church or as individuals be with a community initiative that supports the needs of others?

As part my personal Lenten Journey, I read Liz Dodd’s book, Easter in Disguise. In her chapter for Palm Sunday, ‘A Spirituality of Resistance’, she asks several challenging questions: “The challenge God puts before us on Palm Sunday is this: if you believe that God is real, will you live as if God is? In the face of danger and opposition, of political and social narratives that say otherwise, will you resist economic structures that dehumanise and belittle? Are you willing to build community with people who are not like you, because they are the image of God, and will you resist what oppresses them? ... Jesus asks more of our faith than palm-waving and prayers: he asks for action.”

Do not let this election day pass us by. Although many of us may not live in areas where elections are taking place, we can still familiarise ourselves with the issues that are affecting many on a day-to-day basis, particularly those who are marginalised or who feel they have no voice. Getting involved in supporting others, speaking up for justice, truth and humbly reflecting the love of Christ our Saviour every day is what we are called to do. We pray that leaders will emerge in our communities and society who reflect these values too.

Cathryn Clarke