
Much could be said about the Nov. 3 national election. I’ve decided to share only three things.
1. A classic fable about heaven and hell—(not doctrinally approved):
One day a corrupt U.S. Senator is hit by a car and dies. He’s met by St. Peter at the pearly gates. Peter says: “Because you’re a Senator you can choose where to spend eternity.” He wants to visit hell first so St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.
The doors open to a golf course with a beautiful clubhouse full of friends and politicians. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had getting rich at their constituents’ expense. After golf they dine on lobster, caviar, and champagne.
Also present is the devil, a very friendly guy having a good time dancing and telling jokes.
Before long, it’s time to go. Everyone waves farewell while the elevator closes. It opens at the pearly gates where St. Peter says, “Now it’s time to visit heaven.” So up to heaven he goes.
For 24 hours the Senator is with a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and soon the 24 hours have gone by.
St. Peter returns and says, “You’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.” The Senator answers: “Well, I would never have said it before—I mean heaven has been delightful—but I think I would be better off in hell.” So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down again to hell.
The elevator doors open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with garbage. He sees his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls to the ground. The devil comes over to the Senator and puts his arm around his shoulders.
“I don’t understand,” stammers the Senator. “Yesterday I was here. There was a golf course and a clubhouse. We ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage. And my friends look miserable. What happened?”
The devil smiles at him and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted.”
2. The election in perspective:
“A vote in this election is not a valentine. You aren’t confessing your love for the candidate. It’s a chess move for the world you want to live in.”
3. From Lutheran Service Book (LCMS Hymnal): A Prayer for the Nation
Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember your generosity and faithfully do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in you fail.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
And I’ll simply add this three word petition: Lord, have mercy!