Another election season is coming, and people are asking the very simple yet consequential question: "Whom should I vote for?" Such a decision seems to be so easy to make, but the effects of it can make or break the future of our communities and our nations.
Let us face the truth: Choosing leaders does not belong to the same decision category as choosing the clothes you wear and choosing a nice color for your fence. Leadership is and always will be crucial. God moves in many ways, and one of the major means He does so is through the hands of leaders.
The Bible is full of stories of characters who lead on a political and national level. Looking at the examples of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Samson, Solomon and Nehemiah, it is clear that God is more involved in politics than we think.
Though it's true that many politicians today can be far from Godly, that's not to say that God doesn't move in the judiciary, legislative and executive branches. His ways will always be sovereign and all encompassing, but we also have a role to play.
Here are some ideas to ponder on when selecting the next leaders for the upcoming years.
Ask for the leader God wills, not the one you want
When Matthew 6:10 commands us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," it applies to every micro and macro aspect of our lives. From the daily tasks we carry out to authorities governing our land.
It may not always be easy to see the big picture, but we can put our hope in God knowing that He makes all things work together for our good.
Trust God even if you can't trust your leader
Romans 13:1 tells us, "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."
Every leader, good or bad, is God-ordained and He uses both bad and good experiences and people to carry out His purposes.
Desire discernment to check the heart
1 Samuel 16:7 says, "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him.' For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
Platforms, speeches and debates are helpful to see a candidate's competence, but let us pray for God to guide us in knowing and discerning the motives of the heart.
