My Election 2012 Experience

It’s 10:30 AM on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 and I still don’t know the results of yesterday’s national elections. I have purposely reclused myself with the intent of blogging on a most unusual community outreach ministry experience yesterday.

Earlier this year the Lord began to urge me to get involved in local politics on behalf of the GOP. Knowing that 2012 elections would be pivotal for our country I decided to attend the Senate District 36 Republican caucus in February. That night I signed up to become an election judge, thinking that it would be interesting and informative.

After completing the obligatory election judge training and attending rallies for different candidates during the summer, I spent part of two days last week at the phone bank calling registered republicans encouraging them to “get out the vote”.  The whole process was very energizing. Now I was finally part of the solution.
 
What I saw as an opportunity to make a difference in America’s future, turned out to be a most revealing experience for me of the depth of God’s love for all people.

Yesterday afternoon I reported to my assigned polling place in Brooklyn Park. For six hours I sat with people and registered them to vote. Many were voting for the first time. I could tell that their lives and political views were totally different than mine. Most of them, I am sure, were voting for a candidate whose political ideology I do not agree with.

In the midst of the experience I was overwhelmed with a love for people that I have never experienced before. I saw that God’s arms envelope everyone; Democrat, Republican and Independent.  When I arrived home last night I was physically exhausted but revitalized with a vision to reach out to those in my community.  

Eventually I’ll hear what happened in the races for local, state and national office, but until then this 'fasting' experience has been most calming.