Making my mark

Today is not a day for cliche's, but as I stood in the polling booth this morning—with a pencil on a string hovering over the boxes—Tony Blair's famous quote came to mind. I really did feel the hand of history on my shoulder...

I took a photo of the scene above, but on checking the rules here, I discovered that this was potentially illegal. Seems like we might accidentally show how someone else has voted, or the number on the top of the ballot paper may give away something to someone. Such are the lengths of thought and legislation that have gone into ensuring that the system is as fair, transparent and secret as possible. A few other interesting facts emerge. Did you know that:

• You can take your dog with you -- but if you take several dogs, a polling assistant will happily hold them outside while you do your civic duty.
• You can take your children with you—but they are not allowed to make the cross on the paper for you.
• You can't wear clothing, like a T-shirt, that has a political slogan on it to the polling station. for fear of influencing the votes of others. But you can vote in your pyjamas.
• You can vote if you are drunk, but you will be asked to leave if you are noisy or disruptive.

The simple act of being able to vote some in or out of government—without picking up a gun—is a massive privilege that is not shared by much of the world.

So as I thought about the act of voting, I was conscious of what a massive, massive privilege it is—won for us through centuries of conflict, protest and struggle—fuelled to a very large extent by the pervasive influence of the Christian belief in the dignity and value of the individual as made in the image of God. What an honour it is to be in a culture where we can express ourselves openly and freely—where we have the liberty to disagree with others, and enjoy the protection of the law from violent retribution.

As I stood, pencil poised, I thanked my Father for this gift; and asked for his help to sustain my brothers and sisters who suffer under different regimes—in Syria and Iraq, in parts of Africa, in North Korea and vast swathes of Asia. I thanked God for the willingness of all the flawed candidates to serve the country and their constituents, and to somehow make a difference.

And I made my cross.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2