Our voice and vote make a difference

It’s election time. Like me, you’re probably weary and frustrated by being bombarded by advertisements, mailings, and the media push for specific candidates. But if you’ve not yet voted, I encourage you to persevere–our voice and vote make a difference.

But sometimes it’s hard to choose, isn’t it?

Do negative ads bother you? I’d like to hear candidates inform us of their beliefs, goals, recommended changes, specific strategies to solve problems, and how they plan to make our homes, communities, country, and world a safe and better place. Anyone with me on that? Instead, we often only hear negative and nasty comments about their opponent.

However, I understand that campaigning is part of our process. We are blessed to live in a country where we have a voice and vote in choosing our leaders. Many in our world do not have this privilege.

What should we look for in a leader?

When Moses needed leaders to help him guide the Israelites, God provided assistance (Exodus 18:21), directing Moses to choose leaders from the people who:

• Fear God
• Are trustworty
• Hate dishonest gain

Paul the Apostle and missionary sought to train others to accept leadership roles. He defines leadership as a noble task (1 Timothy 3:1). One definition of “noble” is, “having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.” How would you define noble? Do you know leaders you consider noble in their roles?

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul outlines qualities of good leaders.

The overseer is to be:

• Above reproach
• Faithful to his wife
• Temperate
• Selfcontrolled
• Respectable
• Hospitable
• Able to teach
• Not given to drunkenness quarrelling, or violence
• Gentle
• Not a lover of money (1 Timothy 3:2-3)

Furthermore, good leaders manage their families well, require obedience from their children, and treat everyone with respect (1 Timothy 3:4

Wow! Perhaps now we recognize why so many leaders struggle in their role.

And, there is more…

Jesus reminded His disciples of an essential quality of good leaders:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25-26)

As you travel to the polls this election year, I pray you will consider these leadership qualities described in Scripture as you make your decisions. Remember–Our voice and vote make a difference.

I hope you will join me in prayer for our leaders. May God bless you, my friends.

Picture of voter: Image by kp yamu Jayanath from Pixabay