My Answer: Politics isn’t paradise, but vote anyway
Q: My wife and I are so fed up with politics that we decided not to vote this year. Our pastor said everyone ought to vote, but the Bible doesn’t say anything about voting, does it? — T.F.
A: The Bible says we should do everything we possibly can to be good citizens and work for the betterment of our society, and one of the ways we can do this is by voting. God tells us to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you” (Jeremiah 29:7).
Rightly or wrongly, you say you’re disillusioned by what you see in politics today. But how will it be changed? Let me tell you how it won’t be changed: It won’t be changed if concerned people refuse to vote. It also won’t be changed if good people refuse to run for office, or if no one votes for them.
In other words, staying away from the voting booth may only perpetuate the problems you see. Although this election has passed, don’t let another one go by without your intelligent involvement.
Christians in the 1st century didn’t have the privilege of voting. Caesar was a dictator, not elected by popular vote. But those early believers were commanded to do the one thing they could do to make the world a better place: They were told to pray.
The apostle Paul wrote, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Our world will never be perfect — not until Christ returns. But in the meantime, God wants to use us to overcome sin and establish a more just world for his glory.
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Q: Our daughter just told us her son is deeply into drugs. He’s intelligent and had a bright future ahead of him, but now he’s dropped out of college and the parents aren’t even sure where he is. Why would anyone like this get into drugs? It doesn’t make sense. — Mrs. J. McN.
A: No, what your grandson has done doesn’t make sense, but that doesn’t make it any less tragic. Can anyone be as heartless as those who peddle drugs to our youth, ignoring the destruction and death they cause? Like the evil men of Jeremiah’s time, “they are cruel and show no mercy” (Jeremiah 6:23).
Why do people turn to drugs, particularly young people? Some start using drugs simply from peer pressure. Their friends are doing it. Others are looking for a thrill or a new experience and give little thought to the risks they’re taking. Still others are seeking to escape from their problems, and drugs (as well as alcohol) falsely promise relief. But whatever the reason, the users usually give little thought to what could happen to them.
No doubt your daughter and her husband will do all they can to find their son and welcome him home. They love him and don’t want to see him destroy himself. He needs help to break free of his addiction, and I hope your entire family will be praying that this will happen.
Above all, I pray that they and their son (and others in similar situations who may be reading this) will turn to Christ and find in him the answer to their deepest hurts and needs. God accepts us just as we are, and when we give our lives to Christ, he comes to live within us by his spirit.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27).
(Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn., 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM; or visit https://www.billygraham.org.)