Today is August 7, 2015 and this morning ushered in the beginning of what I love to call the political mean season. It is the reason that I quit watching morning television "news" shows some 8 years ago. Frankly, I have zero interest to know every time a politician twitches and the opinion of what that means by 14 analysts. I used to be interested in the political process but no more. I wonder if the process has just become so much of a joke because our culture as a whole lacks a desire for integrity and we are all about 'what's in it for me' instead of 'what's in it for us'? Or I wonder if because of the instant access via social media to every idea and opinion that I now realize just how depraved we humans really are? I suspicion it's a bit of both. I mean, I am not going to believe that our government has ever cared one iota about my personal station in life. I do believe we have had a short list of servant leaders who got it... that the calling they took on when elected to office was something greater than themselves. Still, it's human government...which means it's full of broken, sinful people who will at some point be asked to compromise. Sadly, all levels of government are filled with people who have zero moral compasses and are happy to go which ever direction the wind blows. But then there are those few...that will stand up to the unrelenting pressure of a biased media (and I believe it's biased on both sides!) and plant their flag for "We the People". They are a rare and dying breed. They will be maligned for holding an opinion that may not be mainstream by the very people who pay lip service to the mantra of tolerance, but are very far from actually living what they say they believe.
I almost got sucked back in. Endless tweets, Facebook posts, and sound bites about the first round of 'debates'. Although I did try at one point, I didn't watch last night but got lulled into what others thought by listening and reading on social media today. Then perspective hit: folks, we have 16 months of this stuff ahead of us. SIXTEEN MONTHS. And you know what? We aren't guaranteed our next breath much less 16 months.
So, what's my plan? To take today and do my best with it. To encourage and pray for the friend who got some difficult news about her health. To pray and encourage the adults who are toiling at our annual youth camp for the eternal souls of young people. To tell others about Jesus because in reality, this world isn't any human's final place of residence. To pray for those leaders because they need it and more importantly, the Lord commands me to do so. To work as if I am doing it for the Lord. To stand up when needed to speak the truth. To give my all for the cause of Christ.
Should I be around in November of 2016 to vote, I will certainly do so. I will make an informed, prayerful decision and exercise the right that America affords her citizens.
Until that time...I've got more important things to do.
