I Abstain

November 6, 2012. Election Day. I was 12th in line, and there were about 200 or so behind me when the polls open. Its a chilly, rainy day. We are a about a week removed from the "superstorm" Sandy, which has ravaged the northeast. I know many without power and vicariously some without homes. Yet the dialogue around the Presidential election has seemed omnipresent.

I remember hearing an older generation speak as to how their vote was "a matter of privacy". Politics really weren't discussed outside of the fringe. Now things are so public. Viewpoints are spewed. Statistics are skewed. Opinions are news. And the discussion seems to bring conclusions that the end of the world is upon us (or at least the good ol' USA).

So, the votes are cast. Then we move on about our way into our country's demise.

Well....I abstain.

• I abstain from not listening
• I abstain from not speaking
• I abstain from not doing
• I abstain from not serving
• I abstain from not considering
• I abstain from not caring
• I abstain from not being in relationship
• I abstain from not sharing the love of God

And I ask that you hold me accountable.

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“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
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Abstain: to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice.