McCain or Obama?

Obama or McCain?

Today is July 4th, celebrating our nation's birthday. It was a nation founded with God very much in mind, and I don't think it's a far stretch to say that God has abundantly blessed us throughout our history and even today. In fact, I'll just be bold and say God has been more than good to our country and has granted us favor in so much. Our leaders are an important part of who we are and where we are going as a country.

The news is full of the Presidential election. Which, by the way, happens in NOVEMBER. I'm all for electing the right leader, but does it need to go on this long, really? Anyways, that's not my point. My point for this blog entry is that it is clear that there are many factions and sides out there, many people arguing different points of views and that theirs is the best because of this or that. People get so worked up, are so passionate about this candidate or that candidate, that it almost becomes like it is McCain or Obama who is going to "save" this nation. This is evidenced by how people speak when the conversation turns to politics. Just listen to their tone or volume of voice, people DO care about this. People should be passionate about who their leaders are, it is a very important matter.

But where is our trust in God in this matter?

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:1-7 NIV)

I want to highlight:
for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God...For he is God's servant to do you good.

We have a choice, without a doubt, to vote for one of these men as our next President. It's an important decision, and in a lot of ways, I think our opportunity to vote, to have that freedom, is a very tangible, earthly reflection of God wanting our lives to be of free will.

In our political conversations, when we get passionate, how often do we reference God that He is going to institute the right leader come November 2008? How passionate and zealous are we that our faith and recognition of power is found in the Living Lord, Jesus, and not a Democratic or Republican candidate? Is our trust being put in the hope for a qualified President with years of experience or buckets of charisma and ideas who will do what he is promising to do once in office, or do we trust a God who has seen many Presidential elections before and has been around longer than politics?

It's an important choice, no question. Come November, I'll vote for the man who I perceive to be most after God's own heart. In the mean time, I'm going to remind myself who it is that sets leaders into place and takes them down, and try to be more faithful to Him.