Election Day Blues

Ed Girard

Elections bring up a painful memory that I won’t let myself forget. Before coming to Evergreen, I worked in state government. A few years back, just after Election Day, I was sitting in the office talking to one of our state agency executive leaders as we waited for others to join us for a meeting. She was sharing her opinion on that year’s election and started talking disparagingly about Christians. I don’t recall all that she said but I distinctly remember her comparing Christians to lemmings. I had known and worked closely with her for a number of years and was mortified as I sat there listening to her without saying a word. Quickly the conversation changed as the other participants of the meeting arrived.

Was I mortified to hear a high-level state official ridicule a religious group? No. I was mortified that, after all those years of working with her, she had no clue that I was a Christian. I had a strong faith life and was an active volunteer in my church, and my friends and people I socialized with knew I was a Christian. How could she not know? I was flabbergasted. Evangelism isn’t my gift but surely the people I worked with knew I was a Christian, right?

Later, sitting in my office praying about these events, I remembered a question a former pastor and friend of mine used when he encouraged people to evaluate how they were doing living out their faith in their daily lives: “Are you an undercover Christian?” I surely didn’t think so, but I was faced with the fact that in this portion of my life I was, and, as it turned out, I was very good at it.

Thankfully, God is faithful. This experience, though painful, was a gift that I am forever grateful for and Election Day is my annual reminder to do a self-evaluation. When I eventually left my state job, many people I worked with were surprised that I left the security of a state job, but none were surprised to hear that I was leaving to enter into ministry. “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16). I had removed the cover over my light in this area of my life where I had previously kept it covered.

How are you doing? Are you an undercover Christian in any area of your life? I encourage you to stop and think about it every once in a while.