2003-11-20 - Participate

Matt 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ "Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (NAS)

I watched the recent election returns with a skeptical eye. I'm sure there are well meaning people in politics who want to make a difference and serve the people. However, I'm also sure there are few who would argue with me that they are sadly few and far between. Many promises have been made and surprisingly few will become reality with any number of excuses. The higher into the world of politics an individual goes the more difficult it is to avoid getting tangled up in the political organizations that dig their tentacles into the the ends of that political machine. It reminds me of the Borg from the television show Star Trek. "Resistance is futile..."

For now it would seem that the upper ranks of our political system will remain controlled by an elite. They guard their offices and their power bases closely. And even they who wield the reigns are entangled in the gears of the engines they run. A friend of mine ran for local political office and was horribly saddened by the game that he saw played. But the local arena is still more open to than the higher levels. God does not just call people to be ministers. Indeed we are all supposed to be learning and growing and touching the lives of the people around us. I minister to people at my office. There are so many who are frustrated and need encouragement. There are indeed times when someone ministers to me when I am frustrated beyond words wanting to do what I see is best. There are times when taking your local Pastor aside and praying with him would be more appreciated than you may believe.

We are called to be salt and light. We are to act as a preservative for the world. Not we personally, since there is no good thing within us but that which God has placed there. God has placed within us the Holy Spirit. We understand that there are issues that reach beyond political parties to the point where the ethics of mankind are involved: preserving the dignity of human life from unborn to the very elderly, caring for the disenfranchised, supporting the communities and families of that particular area and more. If you feel the call to run for political office do it to the best of your ability and speak from your heart and beliefs. You might be stunned at how this rings a chord in people's lives.

If you are not called run for office, be aware of the issues and the candidates. If they are going to speak locally, get your questions answered. The recent presidential elections in Florida should make us all more aware of the power of a single vote. I have heard so many say, and they may be right, that the system is so badly broken it is beyond repair. It is only when we give up that our salt becomes ineffective.

Remember Daniel. He was taken from his home as a youth and ended up one step beneath the ruler of one of the largest, most powerful empires the world has ever known. His life was beyond reproach. The King had complete faith in his servant Daniel. If God has purpose in your office who will stand against that purpose? Daniel was an alien of a captive race of people, practiced a minority religion, etc. Am I promising victory on the first attempt or at all? No. Learn from your failures like anything in business or personal life. Make a statement with your platform and your life.

Participate: be salt and light.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

mhoskins@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org