Choose A Leader

This November our nation will choose a President to lead for four years. The process of our elections has become somewhat laughable and is often very predictable. It’s hard as a citizen to discern the values of the candidates and who they really are. It seems that if they are a good actor, then they become very electable. Our process seems to have been shortened to sound bites instead of genuine discussion of the issues on the horizon for our country. I am thankful for our democracy and the rights that our forefathers instituted for us to freely vote for the candidate that we think is best to be our next leader.

Judges appointed by God up to this point had led the Israelites. The Judges often appointed their children to be their successors. Samuel had judged the Israelites for many years and while he was up in years, it was already apparent that his sons had different values and ideas about what it meant to lead Israel by following God. Check this out…

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. 9 Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:4-9 NIV)

It’s really obvious that the minds of the leaders of Israel had their minds made up. They wanted a new government. They wanted what other nations had. I don’t think they completely thought this through in light of their past and their present. I heard a great saying about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence… “The grass may look greener on the other side of the fence, but it’s because there’s a septic tank underneath.” In other words things are not as they seem to be.

I’ve been in prayer for those individuals who are running for public office. Our local area has several offices up for election this fall along with the federal elected officials. I’m trying to discern which candidate would be most likely to listen to the Ultimate Leader – God. I’m wondering if these candidates are followers of God before they’re leaders of men.

I want God’s leadership over my life no matter if I’m holding and office or simply leading my family. I want His leadership and His wisdom poured out on me so that I can influence others to notice Him. Leadership in God’s economy is about Him as leader and us followers following His lead. His leadership gives me leadership insight and wisdom that I can’t explain. No matter who we elect for public office, I believe that God is still in charge of our world.

Pressing On!

Dwayne