Image credit: GodsBallot.org
Tywana Hampton
In 2008, while in a department store shopping, I was approached by two ladies who asked me who I was voting for in the Presidential election. It struck me odd that they would ask such a question, because they were black and so am I! My answer was “Mr. Obama, of course.” Their response was quite shocking, “You struck us as a republican!”
I couldn’t wrap my brain around that. We were on the brink of possibly electing the first black president, and I definitely wanted to be a part of this history-making event! I couldn’t imagine why these sisters did not share my dream. A few days after that, our Ladies Fellowship, were in our prayer circle about to close out our meeting.
One of the sisters that I held in the highest esteem, because of her strong walk with the Lord and her knowledge of the scriptures, made a shocking statement. It went something like this,
“I know you ladies want to vote for Mr. Obama, because if elected, he will be the first black president, but as Christians, we should be voting as republicans, because their platform tracks more closely with Christian values.”
I had made up my mind that I was voting for Mr. Obama, and wanted to be a part of this history in the making, no matter what. I was too far gone to turn back now. Later my church friend asked if I had voted for Mr. Obama, now President Obama, and I confessed, ‘yes, I did’. She explained a little bit about the difference in the platforms in the parties and that we should vote for the platform and not the person. I stuffed my guilt and in 2012, I voted for him again.
As my relationship grew with the Lord, and I learned more about the Bible and the political parties, in the midterm elections of 2014, for the first time, I voted for republican candidates. I continued to read and listen to Christian radio.
My husband introduced me to a book titled, “Please Stop Helping Us: How Liberals Make It Harder for Blacks to Succeed” by Jason Riley. I read this book from cover to cover. When I finished it, I was solidified in my conservative beliefs!
(excerpt from Jason Riley’s interview with ReasonTV)
One of the issues that is often tossed around in the political arena is abortion. As a Christian, I know that we must respect the sanctity of life. Our heavenly father is the giver and taker of life. We should not shed innocent blood. Life begins at conception as both the egg and the sperm are living organisms that come together to form a higher level of life, a human being! From the time the egg and sperm come together there is constant activity in the quest to become a human being with a unique set of DNA and fingerprints. By the time most women know they are pregnant, the heart of the baby has already started beating! Abortion stops a beating heart. The world tries to debate when life begins. For those of us who are pro-life, we will say that life begins at conception. According to our heavenly Father, life begins BEFORE conception.
Jeremiah 1:5 states,
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
The Psalmist recognizes God’s love for the unborn in Psalm 139:13-14,
“For thou has possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
While Mary was pregnant with our Savior, the Bible records a sweet exchange between Mary and her cousin Elisabeth in Luke 1:41-44,
“And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”
The unborn are important to our Lord. When you cast your vote, please make sure you vote for candidates who understand the sanctity of life, and are working toward supporting the only choice, LIFE!
