The economic and political events of the past week have me pondering a lot things. This election has made me think about what I want in elected officials, my role in politics, and how many of society’s “ills” can actually be changed through public policy. Furthermore, the economic problems that have bubbled up in the past week and the subsequent political circus that has ensued, have challenged me to evaluate what I want in a political leader and where our hope as people and as a nation should really be placed.
First, I am a social conservative. I want leaders who espouse those views and promote public policy that protects those views. However, that really is only one side of the coin. The other side of the coin is what I am doing in my personal life (besides politiking) that advance those views. Thus, I am forced to ask myself questions such as, “Have I encouraged and supported low income women faced with the decision to keep an unwanted baby?”, “Do I live in such a way that respects life?”, “Do I give money and time to support a crisis pregnancy center?”, “Do I show value and respect for marriage?”, “How much time and money do I give to serving the poor?”.
You see it is one thing to check the box next to pro-life candidates every election or even actively campaign for them. It is another to invest time and energy in the lives of women who have decided to keep their baby, or may want to abort their baby, or already have aborted their baby. It is one thing to say “oh, it’s not the role of the government to support the poor, but the Church.” It is another to actually live that out and invest time and energy serving the poor.
Sometimes, social conservatives get into this thought that if our side doesn’t get elected it will be step a back for our beliefs and values. I say it is only if we fail to engage in society and invest in the lives of people. Our cause doesn’t end with the dropping out of Mike Huckabee or the election of a lukewarm socially conservative presidential candidate. Our cause will only end if we fail to act to promote these values on a personal level.
Second, the economic crisis and the response of our elected officials shows that there is a lack of leadership in DC. This past week I found myself crying out , “Why can’t someone just show leadership?”. My mind started saying, “If only Gov. Huckabee were the nominee.” and “Boy, things would be different if Huck were up there making the decisions.” After wallowing in these thoughts, a new thought crept in my mind. The thought: if we trust and hope in man, we will be disappointed. Romans 8:24 says that hope that is seen is no hope at all. 1 Timothy says that we hope and strive to put our hope in the living God.
As much as I love Gov. Huckabee and other politicians who have stood up during this time such as Rep. Mike Pence, we must remember that our hope for a better nation and a better world is not in man but as Paul tells Timothy, in the living God.
I will leave you with a portion from “This Little Child” by Scott Wesley Brown. It always brings me back to what’s important. Go here to hear him sing it- http://www.brownielocks.com/thislittlechild.html
Verse 2
Many years have come and gone,
Yet this world remains the same.
Empires have been built and fallen,
Only time has made a change.
Nation against nation,
Brother against brother.
Men so filled with hatred,
Killing one another.
And over half the world is starving,
While a banner of decency is torn.
Debating over disarmament,
Killing children before they’re born.
And fools who march for the right,
To justify their sin.
Oh every nation that has fallen,
Has fallen from within!
Yet in the midst of this darkness,
There is a hope, a light that burns.
This little child-the King of Kings,
Some day will return!
