Well, there are some smiles and some tears today. Each of the candidates did all they could to get elected. The fact is, some did things that they will later look back and regret while others have yet to come to that realization. As a former public servant and candidate, I can tell you the stress will eat you alive if you let it.
There are those outside the campaigns that will have the same response. There are happy and sad voters today, it's the nature of the beast. We can't all win. Despite the illusion that if the "right person" is elected it will end all problems in public life, your vote does matter. If anything is going to move in a good direction you must have good people in office. It is early, but as before the elections, the fur is flying. I read an article by a business organization that painted a picture of gloom because of election results, I pray their wrong but I got to tell you, there is no way that we can know what the future holds. We have to trust that God can still speak to hearts and change lives, even those whose heart seems impenetrable.
One last thing to consider, all of us had candidates lose that we would like to see win. The question now is whether we will stay involved or get involved to insure that the needed policy becomes law. John Newton, the writer of the hymn "Amazing Grace" had a young man named William Wilberforce who attended his church while he was pastoring in London. Although Wilberforce was involved in politics, his conversion to Christianity and relationship with Newton, a former slave trader, proved the impact of one life. Wilberforce began to debate the slavery issue and due to his conviction and perseverance, the British House of Commons abolished slavery in 1833. The difficult thing is that William Wilberforce died three days after the legislation was approved. Even though he did not get to see the fruit of his labor, millions of lives have been changed due to his commitment to serving others. Less than 30 years later, a man name Lincoln, would do the same here in America.
If you sit still and don't get involved then you shouldn't cry when things don't turn our your way. But if you get involved, at least you can make some impact, and who knows, it may be you who touches the life of a public servant and change the mind of a politician who otherwise would have kept on with the agenda of those who had his/her ear.
Congrats to all who ran, it takes guts to step into public life, to put your reputation on a ballot and let others say yea or nay. No matter the outcome, you are a winner for participating in the game of life while others just sit the bench and complain about how they don't get playing time.
Just Rambling...
1 comment:
I think George Bush missed a real opportunity to shine with Kerry incident. There is no doubt that Kerry has a bad case of Foot in Mouth disease. But imagine what could have happened if instead of jumping on it for another stump speech the president had said something like, "I don't think Mr. Kerry believes that our troops are uneducated or lack courage. We have honest disagreements on the course this country needs to take fight terrorism, but I am not going to use a gaffed joke aimed at me to tear him down."
I really think he would have gained more support that way than he did pouncing on it to try to make political hay.
None of us are perfect, but when our political leaders say the Jesus is the biggest influence in their life and they have chances to be graceful and forgiving and humble, I would just like to see them take more advantage of them.
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