I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for everyone—
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet
lives in all godliness and holiness. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Dear newly
elected public servants,
Congratulations
on your victories. Some of you faced
closely contested races. Others of you
waltzed to easy wins. However it worked
in your particular race, you inspired people to vote you into office. Today is a day of celebration for you. You have earned it. Way to go!
Soon the
hard work of governing will begin. We
are in a nation and state facing major challenges, from the ‘fiscal cliff’
looming over the national government to the financial struggles of our state,
from challenges surrounding Iran to health care, from the solvency of Social
Security to the issues of immigration and education. On
a national level, this nation elected a Democrat as president, a Democratic majority
in the Senate, and a Republican majority in the House. There is no ‘mandate’ to push any agenda
forward. The election only reflected the
deeply divided nature of this nation. In
recent years both parties have been very good at obstructing any meaningful
progress on the important issues of the day.
It’s been more important for your
party to ‘win’ than for the people of America to ‘win.’ Democrats can’t agree to any Republican idea,
no matter how much merit it might have.
Republicans can’t agree to any Democratic idea, no matter how much merit
it might have. That has to stop. The work ahead is too important to allow your
political bickering to hijack the system.
I ask that, for the sake of our nation, you humbly consider the point of
view of those on the opposite side of the aisle.
During the
election I heard much talk about where God fits into American politics. Many of you Republicans insisted that a vote
for you was a vote for God, basing such assertions on issues like abortion and
gay rights. Many of you Democrats
insisted that a vote for you was a vote for God, basing such assertions on
issues like care for the poor and gay rights.
The last that I checked, God is not registered in either party and was
not on the ballot. This election didn’t
decide between ‘good’ and ‘evil.’ People
of faith all over this nation prayerfully considered who to vote for. Some voted for you and some voted for your
opponent. While it’s easy to declare
that God is on your side, sometimes it’s harder to discern if you are on God’s! As you prepare to govern, I ask that you
spend some time on your knees, asking for God’s guidance. This isn’t a time to tell God what the nation
(or state) needs…it’s a time to listen to God.
I will admit
that I did not vote for every one of you.
In some cases I thought that your opponent would do a better job of
governing than you. Nevertheless, whether
you received my vote or not, you are in my prayers. I ask
that God would guide you in your decision-making. I ask God to strengthen you as you prepare to
face the rigors of your office. I ask
people of faith to join me in these prayers.
Again,
congratulations on your election. May
God guide you in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Pastor Pete Reuss
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