The way I look at the election is that we are a nation divided. It seems clear to me, that a little less than half of us seem content with where our nation has been the past four years with a little more desiring change. The other choices for leadership were not overwhelmingly convincing. Our nation could not see all those picked as potential change agents in leadership as potential agents of restoration. I say this, because, as I compare it to our city's mayoral and committee race, the outcome was vastly different.
We live in a small city, Santee, California. For a long time, as the city looked for revenue, the thought it rested in was a home building project mostly in a landlocked portion on the outskirts. Blocked in by government land (military property) many of us opposed it because of the obvious traffic issues it would place on our already crowded and limited outbound/inbound roads. Our leaders listened and looked for other ways to develop revenue. New shopping centers and the soon arrival of a private college is turning our city into a 'gem', and, for the incumbent mayor and councilman, a landslide victory. Not even close, our residents pleased with our government officials decisions voted heartily in support of their response to us, and their insightful way to meet fiscal responsibility. There was an issue with a street falling into great disrepair, the city posting signs that the road was private and not their responsibility. When a well represented portion of our city attended the council meeting dealing with the issue (the town hall was filled to standing room only overflowing into the parking lot) the city council agreed to find a way to repair the road in response, and fixed it rapidly.
In short, they used their wisdom and thinking to find ways not to raise taxes, but find new revenue for our community without burdening us with more expense. In fact, our city continues having the lowest sales tax in the area! Because they have found ways to bring revenue in without forcing what they thought would be the answer, they showed us great leadership and we, the people responded with a hearty amen.
Not so with the rest of our nation. We stand wanting answers, desiring a better life with our dollars going farther and maybe even healthcare for everyone. But I think we are in for rude awakening as it all unfolds before us, unless we are prepared, those who have health care now, for less. To me, it is rare that government has done better than private sector in caring for our people. But many of the private sector companies have also become stingy and self-serving, also not gaining our support, facing regularly increasing costs. Not so with my Carpenter's Union Trust as it has steadily grown, seeming abundantly secure for my retirement, far beyond the 'cost of living'. Social Security? No such guarantee. Our national debt growing to unbelievable levels brings little comfort to this soul bent on spending what I have and not what I have not, focusing on taking financial care of my family and investing for those I love, as I work, underemployed, with a degree, working 3 part-time jobs to 'stay afloat'.
I confess not being smart enough to answer the nation's needs as part of the world economy. But I also wish our governmental leaders would take same suit, seeking guidance and wisdom not in and of themselves but from our LORD God, for the people, by the people. If we had candidates that did so, I believe there would be, like here in Santee, a landslide victory. Surely there must be ways and means to provide for everyone in our nation in a different way, with resourcefulness not resentfulness, with real resolution not ranting resolve, a way with integrity and not indebtedness, financially and socially speaking.
When we have candidates who listen, respond and do for the people, by the people and with the people, there will be unity. When focus is placed on solving deep seated issues, fiscally and financially, with responsibility and non-partisan resolution, without attaching ridiculous side issues to bills, the rise in governmental support will grow. Americans everywhere are starting to see the need to live with integrity, not indebtedness; we desire our leaders do the same. I don't think I really care if they are black, white, homosexual or heterosexual, or? as long as they lead not from their platform and perspective of how they choose to live their lives, but see their lives of service as a means to benefit and transform our nation back into a solid, unshakeable union, with God as our leader. I'm not asking those who don't believe in God to do so, that is your choice. I am asking those of us who admit having God as our leader, step up to the plate and live like it, engaging Him in conversation, living with grace in a world that can use a heap full of it.
Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, we are a nation under God. He raises nations and deposes them. And He seems bent on giving us what we deserve as many who claim Jesus as LORD, walk away from Him. But, in our small city, I stand thankful that we have been blessed with great leaders in a town of growing faith, He also giving us His blessing, what we deserve, in spades.
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