By Bunni Pounds

Many of us have heard the story of the conversation that Dr. James McHenry, a delegate of Maryland, overheard between Benjamin Franklin and Mrs. Powell of Philadelphia as the 82-year-old headed out of Independence Hall one day during the Constitutional Convention. Dr. Franklin spoke to her with an air of familiarity, so he probably knew her, but all we have on record is Dr. McHenry’s notes that lay out these incredible words.

Mrs. Powell asked him a thought-out question about the proceedings inside – “Well, doctor,” she asked, “what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?”

Dr. Franklin shot back – “A republic, madam – if you can keep it.”

Never in the history of the world had a nation set up a system of government that would REQUIRE the people to govern themselves. It was unheard of.

How could the founders have trusted the people of America to keep our system of government strong?

Ultimately in this republic – “We the People” are tasked with being the governing authority.

The founders of our nation gave us a gift – a United States Constitution that demands our participation.

Many of us in modern America are now just waking up to the fact that we have a responsibility to this great nation. This is the reason that Christians Engaged was created to give ordinary Christians action items to protect this nation that we all love. When we pray, vote, and engage – we can impact or change America.

What America needs in this hour is YOU! Your participation as a citizen of this great land can make all the difference in the world.

We start by realizing the sacred trust that we have at the ballot box and making a point to show up for every election – city elections, primary elections, constitutional amendment elections, not just presidential or gubernatorial elections. (Take our PLEDGE and we will help you to always remember!)

Growing up as a pastor’s daughter – we were in church - every time the doors were open.

That should be our motto when it comes to elections in this great nation. We, as the Body of Christ, should be showing up every time the doors are open – letting our voices be heard and taking our Biblical values to that place of influence.

Our vote matters!

One of the arguments people use to not vote is that they think their vote doesn’t matter.

Let me just say – that is a complete lie.

Just recently in Texas in the 2020 Primary Runoff in Congressional District 23 – Tony Gonzales won by only 45 votes against Raul Reyes Jr. 46 more people going to the polls for Raul would have flipped that election.

Even a state representative race in the Austin area in 2020 was a nail bitter as Justin Berry made the runoff with Jennifer Fleck by just one vote. He went on to win the Republican nomination in the runoff but lost the general election.

I used to know a mayor in Kaufman, Texas, that was elected by one vote. I used to call him the “one vote mayor.”

Nationally in 2020 – Rep. Claudia Tenney won back her former Congressional Seat in the U.S. House (NY-22) by only 271 votes. It took several months for her to get through all the recounts, but she was eventually sworn in and seated as New York’s Congresswoman.

Your vote matters.  Every election is critically important for our cities, states, and nation.

When we think about our influence in our land and the responsibility that Benjamin Franklin was speaking about in his simple words – “If you can keep it?” – we must go to the words of Jesus in the scriptures.

Matthew 5:13-16 - “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We have to ask ourselves as Americans – what does being salt and light mean in the context of the responsibilities we have been given to “keep this republic”?

How do we remain a “city that is set on a hill”?

Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan both used this scripture as a touch point on the influence of America on the world. For us today – we need to ask ourselves the question of how our influence at the ballot box can be used for good and not for evil.

If we stay home and don’t vote – we give up that power for good and keep our lamp under the basket of apathy.

In this moment in history – will the church rise and start voting in every election?

It is time that we start realizing the importance of this GIFT that the founders gave us in our Constitution and founding documents and then use that GIFT to elect godly people to impact our nation.

We have a decision to make individually and corporately – will we, as the Body of Christ, be the change agents in our communities? Will we take the GIFT that the founders gave us and make sure we protect this republic for future generations?

We are 5 years from our nation turning 250 years old in 2026.

May we hear the exhortation of Benjamin Franklin from 1776 loud and clear and be moved to ACTION – “A republic, madam – if you can keep it.”

TAKE THE PLEDGE TO PRAY, VOTE AND ENGAGE - JOIN WITH THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS AS WE VALUE THIS GREAT LAND BY VOTING IN EVERY ELECTION.

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