Read Time: 4 min 45 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

POLITICS

Second in Command

Vice President Harris officially became the Democratic nominee for president on Monday night. Then, she announced who she wants to be her vice president if she wins the race back to the White House. drumroll please*

His name’s Tim Walz, and he’s Minnesota’s governor. He’s a sixty-year-old who was a teacher and football coach before he served 12 years in the House of Representatives. He’s known for bringing free school meals, child tax credits, and paid family medical leave to Minnesota. Critics say he didn’t handle protests or the pandemic very well and that his Democratic policies are too extreme.

Now, both tickets have chosen their co-pilots. Former President Trump’s choice was J.D. Vance. He’s a 39-year-old Marine veteran and Yale Law graduate from working-class Appalachia. Since 2023, he’s been an Ohio Senator. Critics say he’s changed his views to gain power.

The position Walz and Vance are up for is that of second-in-command. Their main role is to be the president’s hype person and to take over if the president dies. They support the president’s policies and try to get things done for the executive branch. 

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Whatever the outcome of 2024’s election, the hope of Christians won’t be shaken. Our truest home is God’s kingdom, and he is our ultimate king. Live as exiles here, serving as Christ’s winsome, peace-making ambassadors with your eyes fixed on your heavenly home.

“For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died.… He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us.”
2 Corinthians 5:14, 19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
Many political analysts say that a candidate’s choice of a running mate is a reflection of themselves. The vice president the candidate chooses shows what they stand for and prioritize.

Similarly, our friends are a reflection of our values. The people we “run with” show who we are and who we want to be. Who are you running with?

Proverbs talks a lot about choosing friends wisely. While we want to love and show kindness to people who may not share our values, we must remember: “The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20 CSB)

How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?
There has been an overwhelming amount of political news recently. It’s easy to become wrapped up in the drama of it all, worrying about what the future holds if a certain candidate succeeds.

It’s not bad to be informed about politics. But once you’ve investigated, prayed, made your decision, and taken any action you can in your local community… What more is there to do? Why are you worrying?

Jesus tells us that our worry about the future is connected to a lack of faith in God (Matthew 6:25-34). So what should we do when the political future looks bleak? “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (6:33 CSB) and leave the rest to God.

• Make a list of the people you run with. What percentage of your friends are “wise” (good, godly influences), and what percentage are “fools”? Evaluate together if you need to make any changes.

• Memorize Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (CSB).

• Pray for your friendships. Pray for your friends by name, and ask the Lord to provide godly friends who enrich your life.

RECOMMENDED

What We’re Watching
This video from Axis*

You should watch it too… it’ll give you hope about the next generation’s relationship with their smartphones (and maybe even your own).

The video is part of Axis’s new toolkit for helping Christians navigate one of the biggest parenting challenges today: smartphone boundaries. 

The “Everything Smartphone” Guided Toolkit is a completely free resource that comes to your inbox, broken down into digestible segments, for ~2 weeks. It includes a biblical perspective on digital safety and limitations, insight from real teens, a family phone charter, a plan to gradually increase teens’ phone freedom, practical tips for restricting harmful content, and more.

Download the FREE Smartphone Parenting Toolkit here!

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