In the UK at the moment it is the lead up to the elections and people are not certain what is going to happen. There are people who I have spoken to who are weary and wary of politicians and just do not know who to vote for and if they will vote at all.

In John 8 we read of a woman caught in adultery. There were people who wanted to know what Jesus thought and his response was not to condemn the woman but to challenge those who intended to stone her. He said “let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” When the people heard him say this they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest. Jesus then turns to the woman and says “where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” She replies, “No, Lord” and Jesus says “neither do I. Go and sin no more.” It is so easy to judge and condemn politicians and yet we all fall short.

In the book of Jonah we read of God’s call for Jonah to go and speak to the people of Ninevah. Jonah runs from this call and ends up in a fish before finally doing what he was asked and the people of Ninevah then got right with God. In the UK at the moment there are various campaigns encouraging Christians who feel called to join political parties and I wonder if there are people who are reading this who have been running from this call. They may be scared of speaking or even engaging with the big issues thinking that things will never change that their voice would not be heard and acted upon. It maybe even that you have gone through a wilderness period just like Jonah when he was in the whale. Maybe you have become hurt and disillusioned by being part of politics in the past and yet being involved in politics is something that you still feel a drawing to. It maybe that you have no call to join a political party but you know people who do have this call and perhaps you could consider encouraging them and praying for them even if their politics is not your own. Or it maybe that you don’t know personally anyone involved in politics but you can pray for those in government and engage with the political system on matters close to your heart by writing to your MP or contacting your local councillor. Perhaps you have felt there is no point doing anything as the problems and concerns you have seem so big…

At church recently my minister was speaking about grace and it struck me that grace could be broken up into g – race and as I thought about this it struck me that we need God in the race to help us through all the shakings and challenges of life. He gives us g -race when things get too much and his grace forgives us when we fail. If someone in a race has their shoe laces undone they are likely to fall and in the heightened noise of a marathon it needs someone running close by to let them know when things are not right so that they can stop, tie up their laces and heed the warning. In life this is true too. When we have God in our lives he can give us discernment when we are doing something wrong so we can stop and change our ways. If Christians do not run or engage in politics their voice of warning cannot be heard along with their voice of vision, creativity and strategy.

When we watch a marathon there may be metal barriers in front of us seperating us from the runners. It may be that you watch what is happening in the political arena and you know things are wrong and you should be participating. Sometimes participating is making cups of tea or just being around to encourage others. It is not all about power and ambition. It could be that the words said by a nobody could be a word in season to someone who can then take that counsel into the corridors of power but if we do not show up or take time to engage or to pray or write or speak with our local councillors or MPs then we have no say in decision making and our voice and concerns will not be heard. If we wash our hands and say this sin has nothing to do with me and let others do what they want without challenge then the phrase of Edmund Burke comes to mind “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men do do nothing.”

I do not know what will happen in this election but the bible says make your calling and election sure. We do this by asking Jesus to help us live lives that are right and true. He helps us with the areas we struggle in and is patient and forgiving. He is not here to condemn but to help bring transformation in our lives. Then we in turn can bless others because we come not to judge but to share in the grace we ourselves have received so we can speak up for those who have no voice, stand up for justice and live lives of compassion and service.