At least once a day, I hear from someone who is worried about America: "What can we do?" "Where is the church?" "Where is the hope?" "Pastor, why don't you speak more on _____________?"
Some are afraid. "What will America look like after the election?"
Politicians cannot change the soul of America.Neither can new laws. The Old Testament as a whole is proof that unless the hearts of the citizens are changed, there will be no national change.
What can we do? First of all, we pray. Not only for the leaders we like but for the ones we don't like. Paul says to the young pastor Timothy, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions..." (1 Timothy 2:1,2 emphasis added, ESV).
Not, "First of all, vote." Not, "First of all, call your Senator." Not, "First of all, volunteer for your favorite candidate." No. "First of all...pray."
Why? "...that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Note that God's desire is for all to be saved, not that all will agree on issues.
All that being said, are issues important? Yes, absolutely. And yes, we should witness to the power of Christ and that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We should warn people when we get the opportunity, in love. The greatest need our politicians have is not to be persuaded to shift on public policy. "God's desire is for all to be saved." Even our elected officials.
The current hot-button topics are not the reason for the spiritual decline in America. Rather, they are the evidence of it. Watch the news and you'll see a glaring reality: the souls of American citizens are in need of an awakening. The spiritually dead don't need another law. The dead need a resurrection. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to do that.
And yes, we should be influential when and where we have the power to do so. Those who have integrity, character and gifts of government should run for office. Many times unqualified people rise to levels of influence simply because no one challenged them in the race. (Some gifted Christians have simply been reluctant to step into those fearful waters of being vetted for public office. I understand their reluctance. But maybe it's time?)
Lastly, we should vote. Not just in these high profile elections but in the smaller ones. Do you pay attention and vote for new school board members? For new county council members? Do you check the records of judges when their names come up? These local elections have sometimes as much impact on our daily lives as the national ones.
Let's not neglect our civic duty. Voting isn't just a privilege. It's a responsibility. But the changing of our nation will not happen because of one election. It will happen when good people pray, run for office, and vote. I wish it was as easy as one election. But it isn't. God help us. And God stir up good and decent people to do more than get amped up once every four years.
