Breaking the Silence to Cast My Vote

The LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.

Habakkuk 2:20

October has been a noisy month. So much so that my own voice was silenced. All the chatter and declarations, accusations and politicking surrounding the upcoming presidential election left me at a loss for words. I wrote very little during October, letting both my blog and my new podcast lie fallow. Words failed me. I craved silence.

But today, I will vote. Today, my voice will be heard, at least in the voting booth. There is comfort in knowing that only my conscience and an anonymous public servant will know what I’m saying as I speak my piece. I find comfort in exercising a privilege that cannot be taken from me by persuasive arguments, opinions or the accusations of any who would disagree. These words I’ll speak today, the names of those I choose to represent me in my city, state and country, will not be canceled out or invalidated. They will be counted.

And then, perhaps, there will be silence. That is my prayer — that we have our say, cast our votes, then sit back in silence, reminding ourselves that whatever the outcome “The LORD is in his holy temple.” Still. He has not been canceled or silenced. He will continue to reign and rule. His voice will be heard.

My votes may bring humans with the capacity to fail me into power. So be it. I rest in the assurance that the One who retains His power will never fail me.

“Let all the earth be silent before Him.”

I broke my October silence today to write for five minutes (more or less) on the one word “VOTE”. My short essay is linked up with others at Five Minute Friday. Drop by to see what they are saying about their right to vote.

Photo by Josh Carter on Unsplash

 

4 Comments

  1. Lesley

    I love that God has the last word on all these things. We say our piece, but then can be silent before hi, knowing that he reigns and his purposes prevail.

  2. Sandra K Stein

    Glad you broke your silence and posted this.
    Also glad that God is in control, and His purpose will prevail.

  3. Paula Short

    Amen Ingrid. Thank you for your very well spoken words, very encouraging. Visit from FMF #11

  4. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

    No happy talk will sugarcoat
    these days of hate and violence,
    but today I cast my vote,
    and should sit back in silence…
    but no, that cannot be my way,
    for I was born to sing
    my joy unto the coming day,
    whatever it may bring,
    for we have been given gift
    of even stormy days,
    and I therefore choose to lift
    my voice and heart in praise,
    and, though lonely I begin,
    hear a host now joining in.

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