Our Nation's Future

Most Americans, who value our heritage of liberty, are grateful for the opportunity to have voice and vote in the process of choosing candidates who will represent us at the local, state and national levels. The basic principle that governed voting in colonial America was that voters should have a "stake in society.” Yet, we are told that Americans vote less than any other people in Western societies. Just half of registered voters actually vote in presidential elections, and many fewer vote in state and local elections.

Even those who do take this freedom seriously, I assume, are pleased when election season is over – because it means no more negative political ads on TV for a while, no more political signs in the neighbor’s yard, and fewer telephone calls at mealtime pleading for a donation to your favorite political party.

Personally, I get tired of the partisan posturing and look for candidates who demonstrate character and integrity. It’s important to me to vote for a candidate that reflects the biblical values I’ve come to embrace – not just giving lip-service to whatever may gain them a few votes among certain constituencies…but who have core principles…and demonstrate them in how they live and serve. I look for authenticity.

Recently, I ran across a poem by Edgar A. Guest, about the roads we take in life. It says: “The easy roads are crowded and the level roads are jammed; The pleasant little rivers with the drifting folks are crammed. But off yonder, where it’s rocky, where you get a better view, You will find the ranks are thinning and the travelers are few. Where the going’s smooth and pleasant you will always find the throng, For the many - more’s the pity - seem to like to drift along. But the steeps that call for courage, and the task that’s hard to do In the end results in glory for the never - wavering few.”

The point of the poem is simply this: where you end up one day will be determined by the path you choose today.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter speaks to us about the importance of Christian character development. He says:

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1: 3-11)
Peter says that the development of Christian character should be priority for us because when we make Christian character development our daily pursuit . . .it will insure that our life is not wasted (v. 8); it will insure our proper appreciation of salvation (v. 9);
it will present a positive witness to others (v. 10a); it will prevent us from bringing criticism to the name of Christ (v. 10b); and it will guarantee a rich welcome upon entering heaven (v. 11).

But if this is going to be true of your life and mine, where do we start? How do we proceed? What path must we take to know the benefits associated with developing Christ-like character? Let’s notice what Peter tells us. It begins with a personal and growing knowledge of Christ. It continues through reliance on God’s power and promises. And it leads to real life change from the inside out.

In recent years, many in our nation seem to act as if politics is somehow exempt and separate from the faith of America’s Founders - and those in public office are not always held to the highest standards of character - like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness, kindness, honor, caring and citizenship.

However, our nation’s future will be determined by the path we choose today. So, exercise your right and privilege on November 2 and VOTE! virtue