8 Ways to Please God with Your Vote

In a political climate where toxic rhetoric is the norm, it is difficult to see through the smoke-filled plums of verbal violence and character assassination that obscures the truth. Yet, every voter is charged by God to utilize His standards in making a choice of a leader to represent them. It is no surprise that the only thing God ever wanted was a personal intimate, moment by moment guidance directly to His children and not an intermediary. Choosing a fallible leader is a permissive grant because our hearts desire a flesh and blood leader. This permissive grant, however, never transferred ownership or authority for every seat of power. Each seat of authority, at every level, belongs to God. In response to God's divine call for Christians to participate as fellow-workers with Him, we are to utilize a biblical standard to choose a candidate. Although its not exhaustive these eight keys will help in doing our best to choose candidates that permit us to live freely and righteously in the land. Note: two categories have been intentionally left out of this list - possessing cash and being a Christian. These are crucial but I will explain at the end of the blog why they are least on the list.

1. Community

Issue: Loyalty and Trust. Any candidate that dares to boldly seek to represent and serve a people should be from that community; one of them. That means they should at the very least live among the people, be apart of their activities, work, own property and raise their children and family in the area. A person that moves into a region to capture an office is rightly called a "carpetbagger" and that means even if they moved to get a city council position or a congressional seat they are now qualified. There may be genuine intent to fully represent the people, however, lack of knowledge of the nuisances of a community means that their loyalty is unknow.

2. Credentials

Issue: Efficiency and Excellence. Credentials is considered to be given by any entity, agency or history that supports and proves that a person seeking elected office has practical and applied knowledge and intellectual sharpness. Credentials serve as the building blocks for expertise and discernment leading to effectiveness and excellence. They may include diplomas, certificates, licenses, training, security clearances, all of which provide evidence of qualifications to sit in the seat of leadership, power and authority. Some without ever going through the rigors to become skilled, offer themselves to represent people. Opposition parties may even choose to support those who will be the least able to challenge threats to good leadership when it really counts.

3. Competence

Issue: Skill and Efficiency. Having credentials alone does not necessarily tell us as voters that the person is ready to do the real work of serving in a manner that will allow them to be successful. While many can gain knowledge on the job, it is important that some foundation skill in leadership or mastery is already present. The competence needed can be acquired through service in an official capacity or as a member of the community. The grueling task of assessing a political candidates competence necessitates a close look at their success in the different chapters of their life's work. Their history in a similar capacity is a great start. A novice, recent graduate or trainee are not deemed to be competent. Competency or sufficient knowledge is gained through on-the-job training, successful employment or business ventures, advocacy for others, family success or other noteworthy growth challenges and accomplishments.

4. Charity

Issue: Hands of Service. Public offices or other offices of trust to be voted on will inevitably stretch the candidate to do more than a regular nine to five job may require. Prior to offering themselves up for elected office each candidate needs a track record that demonstrates their willingness to serve long before cameras, photo ops and other publicity is sought on the campaign trail. In order to find a candidate that will stay until the job is complete, the crisis is over or the solution is found, observing their propensity for charity is important. Charity is the ability to love or provide care through good works. Doing charitable works may not be readily apparent and require direct inquiry of the candidate as to whether they give, tutor, share goods or provide service that builds individuals, community or nation.

5. Courage

Issue: Advocacy. No one can maintain virtue or trust, patience, decency, honesty, morality or righteousness without courage. Courage is the backbone that enables the candidate's authentic earnestly held beliefs to be fought for among opposing colleagues. Courage also permits the candidate to not be timid in supporting a cause, but to boldly represent the best solutions for the voter. Every person at one time or another will be sufficiently challenged to abandon their positions or stand down. Trouble will come to test inner strength. The attribute of courage gives the candidate stamina even when their advisors give a different opinion. Look into the candidate's background where they had to take an unpopular stance and yet remained unmovable, because it was right.

6. Character

Issue: Authenticity. Character usually is tested in the know reputation of a person. Are they trustworthy; faithful to their spouse; diligent in advocacy; or shifty, lazy and unscrupulous in business dealings. Character is on display in our manner of movement when things get hard, when responsibility should be taken and when the opportunity to do what is right and good is present. We actually discern the life of people by the habits that form their mental or morally distinctive qualities. The pattern of behavior can serve to further the good of the voters or frustrate their concern for a true representative.

7. Compassion

Issue: Heartfelt Concern, Humility and Grace

Compassion is not usually included as a characteristic desired of a candidate. It has been included here because there must be something in he candidate's life that heighten their ability to feel the pain, guilt, fear, discouragement of the community. Yes as voters we want to be heard, but more than that, we want our representatives to actual care AND do something. Concern, sympathy and empathy for the sufferings and misfortunes of others is a key component of representation. Humility shows up because in this component the candidate has to remember their own frailty, family and prior situations to serve those in need without judgment. key This is your blog post. Blogs are a great way to connect with your audience and keep them coming back. They can also be a great way to position yourself as an authority in your field. To edit your content, click Manage Blog. From the Dashboard, you can edit posts and also add brand new posts with ease.

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