"He's got the whole world in His hands...He's got the little
bitty baby in His hands...
He's got you and me, brother, in His hands...
He's got the whole world in His hands." - An old spiritual

My intention here is not to bash either candidate, but to speak about us, the Body of Christ, and how we relate to what's going on, starting with our decision at the polls. You see, I am very concerned about what the election is saying about the state of the American church.

Let's start with the things I wonder about...
I wonder why, when so many of us call ourselves Christian, the vote is split right down the middle. I know the media were premature in saying (incorrectly) who won before the polls closed, but that shouldn't sway Christians not to vote. We can't take anything for granted. I also know that some say that we are making history, as it is almost unheard of that there would be this kind of strife when we've had such prosperity. These people say Mr. Gore should have been elected by a landslide, and the fact that he wasn't says the American church is alive and on her toes. I appreciate that, but I am still concerned. Why weren't we a landslide?

I wonder why I didn't get the copy of Mr. Bush's testimony earlier, before the election. For those of you who didn't see it, both candidates were asked about their salvation experience since both claim to be "born again," and only Mr. Bush had time to respond. It was an excellent testimony, with much detail that shows how he thinks as a leader. I wonder why the Christian media can't get this kind of thing out to voters earlier-I only saw it within the last week. - On the other hand, I am very grateful for the Voter Guides Christian media distribute that help distill the candidates' stands for us. However, I also wonder why more churches don't provide them for their congregations. The privilege of distributing them was "won" in court (although it should never have been questioned from my perspective) and I believe we need to take advantage of such tools.

Going deeper, I wonder about the perspective we Christians have on leadership. I looked at the 1996 election and wondered why there was no change in leadership then when it was clearly evident the leader was not basing his leadership on biblical principles. The answer I got from those around me was that Christians were voting with concern for their pocketbooks. I believe this election does show some change from that stand, or prove that thinking wrong. However, without a thorough understanding of what God intends leadership to be and do, as well as an understanding of godly motivation for leadership, we cannot evaluate candidates properly and vote from a godly perspective, especially in such elections as this one where both candidates claim to be "born again."

This brings me to a resource God led me to this summer. I highly recommend it. It is called The Leadership Bible, and it contains a year's worth of study on leadership, using scripture as its foundation. It is published by Zondervan and taken from the NIV translation, but if you aren't comfortable with that, I'd recommend you buy it anyway and read the scriptures from your preferred translation. Maybe you could consider it "homework" before the next election? It lays out very clearly what godly leadership entails. I have recently covered their two week study on values, and it has given me a deeper understanding of the motivation God requires of His leaders - this study goes beyond the surface, folks (and how deep it goes depends on whether you take their advice to meditate on specific passages). I feel it would help the Body of Christ tremendously to take it to heart. From my own experience and the confusion I hear from other Christians, it seems that more understanding about what God expects of leadership can help us with issues concerning our homes, our churches and our government. On the other hand, a continued lack of understanding will only cripple us, because the days ahead will require more discernment, not less. With that in mind, let's consider another issue.

Have we taught our children to look below the surface of candidates' claims, or have we taught allegiance to a party? Along this line, a friend recently said to me he had found there are people motivated by different things in the "Christian" movement he is involved in. He discovered that some Christians took a stand (substitute "chose a party") and that stand (party) became their motivation, whereas he believes he is called to take a stand based on, because of, and always being mindful of Jesus. He believes Jesus is Lord over stands, and taking a stand doesn't mean doing whatever a movement requires, but what Jesus asks. Pleasing Jesus must be our only motivation if we are to stay on course with the Lord.

An illustration from the Bible regarding this is the instruction God gave to Israel when they were taken captive to Babylon. Babylon was a nation more wicked than Israel herself, but God had determined to use her to punish Israel for her idolatry. He told the Israelites to pray for the welfare of the Babylonian city where they now lived, for their welfare would be wrapped up in the city's welfare. Some Israelites saw that as "unpatriotic," because they were a special people whose calling precluded their association with pagans. Because they were so wrapped up in their national identity, they couldn't understand God possibly using a heathen nation to discipline them. However, God stood firm--He told them to humble themselves, and if they didn't they were in for more discipline! Those who obeyed were brought back to their land seventy years later.

Which again makes me wonder... I wonder if we Christians will listen for God regardless of this election's outcome. Will we give up if "our preference" isn't elected? Will we say that if God had meant the church to be involved "our man" would have won and (since he didn't) withdraw more deeply into our "Christian ghetto?" Or will we recognize as Daniel did, that God is the One who ultimately promotes and deposes rulers? If our choice isn't elected will we grouse or continue to pray? Will we pout or will we seek to know how God would have us conduct ourselves and ask Him to teach us and grant us (the church) repentance so the next time we will have a better base from which to work? - Will we seek the welfare or destruction of the city?

If anything, this election, whatever its outcome, says to me that the American church has a lot of "homework" ahead of her if she is to be salt and light in the world. It is another opportunity to look in the mirror God is holding up, see our lack, repent and receive His never-ending supply.

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