My mother is a card-carrying republican. My dad, a staunch democrat. Literally, a divided political family. However, each knows and loves Jesus. They love each other. They value each other as image-bearers of God. They disagree with a kind of kindness that makes sense to me. It makes me smile and wonder why more of us don’t embrace this humble way of disagreement.

My son, who also follows Jesus, will vote in his first election next week. Admittedly, he is already overwhelmed by the sheer amount of vitriol coming from those on the ballot, and equally so, those who will cast one.

Overwhelmed is not the adjective I would use to describe my experience in this political cycle. Tired, perhaps. Angry, at times. Definitely confused. Mostly confused by Christians.

I’m not so naive to think I can add one piece of notable commentary that will circumvent the noise of the internet—especially five days from the election. But I do wish to make a plea to those who follow Jesus. This is not a plea to vote a certain way. I contend it’s bad pastoring to push a politic. It’s a kind of social pandering that garners affection from the choir when those who truly need a prophetic voice will never hear it because the pastor has relented to praise.

I digress to my plea. A plea for kindness.

Christians . . . be kind, please! Regardless of where you land on the political landscape, you have power to let this season be marked by your mercy and generosity. You don’t have to be remembered by your constant retweets, sharp-edged memes, and heartless contempt of those who happen to disagree with you. November 4th is coming. The election will soon be in our rearview mirror, but those whom we wounded with a sharp-edged tongue will still be before us. The gift of a good news gospel witness is being undermined by your fear of the future, indomitable trust in men, and hope in temporary things. Christians . . . be kind, please! Regardless of who you vote for and who ends up living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the world will continue to spin on its axis. Despite your best energy and worry regarding the “most important election in our lifetime”, this life cannot be wasted on “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things” (Mark 4:19).

So, Christians, vote. Engage your civic duty. Fly a flag and celebrate an imperfect democracy led by imperfect men. But do not put your hope there. This world will disappoint.

But kindness? It will never disappoint. You will never regret giving an extra word of praise or a crumb of compassion. You will never regret withholding your well-crafted retort from that online thread. You will never regret deleting the divisive email that may have destroyed a decades-long friendship. Seeing someone else’s humanity is not your opportunity to win, but to serve. To love. To be kind.