Whenever a general election approaches, whether in Singapore, Malaysia, the US, wherever, three thoughts normally come to mind.
1. First, all earthly leaders have clay feet. The giant statue in Daniel’s vision looked impressive (Daniel 2:31–45). In the end, however, regardless of whatever kingdoms the different parts of the statue may have represented, the statue as a whole represented earthly power, and all earthly powers have clay feet. They will not stand. Unless a leader is out-and-out evil, like Hitler, we continue to deal with imperfect leaders on all sides. All the leaders we choose will be imperfect. We are choosing one who most approximates our values and concerns and our vision for the country. I am sure I am old and cynical, but I am amused when a leader is portrayed as an angel or a devil. As Solzhenitsyn reminds us, the line between good and evil cuts through every heart. By all means support your party and your candidate, but cut the hyperbole.
2. Second, followers of Jesus must demonstrate that we are all aligned to another higher power, Christ and His Kingdom. One way we show this is we must know how to disagree. We may feel strongly about our chosen party and candidate and a brother or sister may champion a different party and candidate. But this person is still my brother/sister and deserves my love and compassion. That does not mean that we have to agree on his/her political choices. Perhaps we should start not with party/candidate, but with trying to lay down some biblical values that should guide our decision making, even if in our decision making we end up choosing differently; we live in such a divided world. When we can disagree lovingly, we give hope to the world that there is another reality that transcends what the world can offer.
3. Third, our ultimate hope is in the Kingdom that will descend from heaven, not made by human hands (Daniel 2:44–45). Our hope is in the perfect Kingdom that Christ will return to inaugurate. Therefore we can afford to have some distance from earthly politics. We will not invest 100 percent of our hope, and our emotions, in any earthly power. While awaiting Christ’s return we will work for that administration by sharing the gospel, helping the needy, and seeking to bring Kingdom values into all spheres of life. This includes trying to bring Kingdom values into the realm of politics. Some of us may be called to serve the Lord by standing for public office. All of us should vote as another way of trying to promote leaders who are more aligned with God’s values, though we may differ as to who those leaders are. And at all times we do the hidden work of prayer as we work with the Lord to influence happenings in the heavenlies (Daniel 9:20–23).
So my Singaporean friends, let us be in prayer as the nation goes to the polls. But perhaps the greatest blessing of the election is to remind us of some foundational truths, things we believe and hold to, whether it is elections season or not.
