What Matters Most

I am not generally one who enjoys getting into political discussions and the fact that I am posting about this year's presidential election may be surpirsing to some, but most of all to me! But, I cannot let go what has been in my heart about this strange happening in our nation which I will call the "Obama Following."

I find it quite interesting that so many are willing to follow this man, even taking on part of his name as their own. (http://http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/us/politics/29hussein.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) Isn't that what we do as Christians? Many have said they are happy to have someone leading that really desires peace, unity, wisdom, equality, and an equal chance for all mankind. Mmmm...are these really new ideas? I am quite certain that we already have someone to follow who has a heart for these very things.

Who? Jesus Christ, of course. I find it dis-heartening that as a nation we have drifted so far from what God desires for us, that we would be content to put our trust in man, instead of God. We, as a nation, have come to the place where our personal wants and desires trump what is next to God's heart. As Christians, we have the responsiblity to live our lives according to those things that matter most to God.

We stay faithful in our marriages, because it matters to God. We raise our children according to God's Truth, because it matters to God. We set boundaries for ourselves in the world concerning temptation, because it matters to God. We vote on the issues that matter to God.

Charisma is not on the top of the list of things that matter to God. Lest we forget the story of Moses, where he says to the Lord in Exodus 4:10, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." Did the Lord then disqualify Moses to be His chosen leader? No, God responded by saying, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say."

Where do Christians get the notion that charisma is an important quality for our next president? If we are claiming the name of Christ, then we should be voting for the issues that matter to God. Period. We don't get to have a personal opinion about whether we like how they dress, how they speak or what they can "promise" us that sounds good. We chose to do that which matters to God when we chose to follow Him. When we took on His name as Christians, we took on His values and His heart. So, may I challenge you to spend some time in prayer and in God's Word to find out what He says about the issues of this presidential election and then vote His way. Vote for those things that matter to God, not to your personal preference.

I look with great sadness at our nation and wonder, how is that we have turned completely from the one Source of all we actually desire! We do not want to do it God's way because it will cost us too much. Where would we all be if God had thought at the 23rd hour, never mind, losing my son will just cost me too much. Sadly we have in the 23rd hour decided, never mind God, Your way will cost me too much. People want a tangible leader to follow. Someone that tickles their ears with what they want to hear. I do not believe that any of the desires we have as a nation are new, but the best way for us to achieve them is deemed radical, old-fashioned, and unattainable by means of following the Word of God. So, we have arrived at a place we have brought ourselves. A place of "man following" instead of God following. A place of desiring to follow charisma rather than character. God does not always choose that which is the most appealing. Let us not forget that He has chosen each of us. 2 Corinthinas 4:7 syas, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves."

I take great comfort in that which our country stands on, (although some would love to get rid of this thinking) "In God We Trust." That is where I place my trust , because God is sovereign and He is not surprised by any of this. He will still prevail in the end and His plans and purposes will come to fruition. All men, women and children are a part of God's purpose and plan. The nation may get for themselves what they want, I will wait to see if they will be pleased. I have a feeling it will not take long for us as a nation, a discontent kind of people, to be on the search again for that which will tickle our ears and please our wants.