A Little Biblical Perspective for Election Day

I've seen and heard a lot of Christian hysteria surrounding today's election. And right up front, let me just say that I'm not downplaying the importance of voting or elections. But I recently heard a brilliant Biblical scholar, John Piper, put some things into perspective. Here's the gist of what I took from him. Read these verses. These are the apostle Paul's instructions to Christ followers...

What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.  1 Corinthians 7:29-31

He's basically giving us a quick list of specific examples of how Christ followers should approach just about anything we do. He just as easily could have included on the list: "Those who vote should vote as if they didn't." What in the world does that mean? Well, first of all, Paul's not saying you shouldn't get married or mourn or be happy or buy stuff or even vote. He's all for those things. But he's saying that when you do go about any of that stuff, don't let it affect your life in such a way to make it look like that's the only thing that matters. In other words, always keep an eye on eternity and realize every single thing in this world is passing away - even the next president. So, by all means, go out today and vote if that's what your conscience leads you to do. But for Christ's sake, after you're done, conduct yourself as though you've got a much greater hope and destiny than what comes out of that vote. Whether McCain or Obama becomes the president...Jesus is still the King. One day, everybody's going to bow the knee and admit it's true. No election needed.