Last night at open volleyball, one of our regulars asked John if he could say a few words before prayer.  His comments were meant to encourage us to go out and vote today.  “I’m not telling you who to vote for,” he said, “just go out and vote.  Vote for righteousness.”  I thought of all the slanderous tv commercials and other broadcasts during this race, and I wondered to myself, is it really possible to vote for righteousness? is there a righteous candidate?  

Now, I don’t mean to criticize our friend.  He was extrememly well-meaning, and I agree with him that we all ought to excercise our right to vote.  But I am a little discouraged.  Not only does it seem that all the political parties stoop to mud-slinging and propaganda, but I live in a district where my vote will likely make no difference–I am severely outnumbered.  When my alarm went off early this morning, I asked myself, is it really worth it?  Will my one measly little vote make any difference at all?  Then my own words haunted me awake: I believe every American should excercise his right to vote regardless of political position.  I believe neglecting to vote is an abuse of our God-given privilege in this great nation.  So rare is this right, that we are fools to consider it anything less than a responsibility or to take that responsibility lightly.  My own words convict me, and I regret not taking this election and every other election I’ve been eligible to vote in more seriously.   So, this morning, John and I dragged ourselves out of bed and down to the local elementary school and cast our ballots.  We voted because this is a crucial election.  We voted because we can.