I typically pay little attention to what’s on the television in my patient’s rooms, but today I did. The words spoken by one of the forerunners for the upcoming presidential election caught my attention, and the entire situation reminded me why we all as responsible citizens must be vigilant and thorough before traipsing blindly to the polls. We mustn’t choose simply for our feelings, but with the entire picture in mind.
You see, the television happened to be on a channel that typically directed its programming towards a specific U.S. minority as its targeted demographic. Even the name of the network said so. And during the commercial break of a popular movie a short video clip of a presidential candidate came across the screen.
In that short shot much was said actually, and I’m sure it sounded pretty darn good to a lot of people. I could understand the fanfare for in the time allotted the speaker promised equality, fair opportunity, and an end to racial discrimination. The thing was, all that sounded good to me too, yet I couldn’t help but discern a certain way it was presented. It made me sad and mad simultaneously.
For me it seemed described in a way that did not bring about racial equality, but in essence brought division. In fact, the word DIVISION screamed in my spirit, and I couldn’t help but see it as race baiting in the very least.
The fact is sometimes a particular platform can sound very good to you, especially if it’s something close to your heart or that brings your emotions to the forefront. But I personally try not to lose sight of the forest for the trees.
I asked my patient if she liked this particular candidate, to which she smiled and nodded. Then her daughter added, “wouldn’t you rather have her over the other guy?
That was a tough one, indeed, but I answered as best I could eventually finishing with, “it’s just hard for me to vote for someone who supports Planned Parenthood.”
The blank stare I received in return seemed to suggest that morsel of thought hadn’t been chewed on when rallying for their candidate of choice, and I think it’s like that for a lot of us. We take that one, emotional platform of pie crust promises and hold it near and dear, turning our eyes away from the important issues that should also be considered when placing someone in power over our country.
It’s often easy to follow the masses, and get excited over a wolf in sheep’s clothing just because they know the right buttons to push to make the crowd roar hoorah.
But if you consider yourself a follower of Christ then you must also be led by God’s Word, so that even when a candidate speaks flowery, feel-good sentiments, you can refuse to follow them if their actions go against God’s statutes. For example, murder is murder, and I don’t care how you plan to create pay equality once and for all if you’re still supporting issues I oppose deep down in my soul.
We must be wise when standing behind a presidential candidate, and ask ourselves if morally our conscience can approve. While it’s often times difficult to find a person who embodies all the characteristics you desire as a leader, you can definitively cut out the ones who obviously oppose the very moral fiber of your being. Just saying.
The thing is snakes are usually hid pretty well in the grass, and it’s in those moments that we must rely on our spiritual eyes to show us blatant deceit blanketed in a cause for which we champion.
I came upon this verse today, and it seemed to put it in perspective for me quite nicely.
Proverbs 26:23-28 (GNT)
Insincere talk that hides what you are really thinking is like a fine glaze on a cheap clay pot. A hypocrite hides hate behind flattering words. They may sound fine, but don’t believe him, because his heart is filled to the brim with hate. He may disguise his hatred, but everyone will see the evil things he does. People who set traps for others get caught themselves. People who start landslides get crushed. You have to hate someone to want to hurt him with lies. Insincere talk brings nothing but ruin.
The primary point is that sometimes people tell you what you want to hear for their own selfish agenda, and this goes for ANY candidate. We can’t fall for it. We must see beyond the carefully crafted words for our benefit, and use wisdom to choose the person who most closely falls into the principals we hold dear.
P.S. If you’re wondering… I love Ben Carson.