As we enter another election cycle and look at the early leaders in the polls I am aghast. Upon what criteria are people using to base their decisions? With all of the great candidates in the field this go-around, why Lord must our electorate gravitate towards these particular candidates.
If one were to look at this problem in a secular approach, we might look to Microsoft who in recent years collaborated with the School District of Philadelphia to create the School of the Future. They wanted to have a voice in hiring the School’s Principal and set out their ground-breaking approach in finding a qualified candidate. They outlined their thoughts as follows:
“Too often, search processes involve a limited call for applicants, straightforward reviews of resumes, a handful of interviews, and then a leap-of-faith hiring decision. But this type of selection process usually finds the leader it deserves. Avoiding such a pitfall and finding the right leader for the right organization requires employing a deliberate process. Successful leadership selection doesn’t happen by accident or through luck. Selecting leaders with the appropriate competencies and skills requires a strategic process informed by critical thinking”
Here we go again, judging from the polls I don’t think many folks are engaged in much critical thinking as the elections are beginning to draw nigh. If one were to take a look back to 2008 at Barrack Obama, we found the same lack of critical thinking scenario. He had never held a job and yet was voted into office to manage what was then the largest and best economy and super power in the world. He was an outstanding speaker with charisma, he appealed to young folks and the disaffected who bought into his “change” motto, his looks appealed to women, and he had the distinct advantage of being black and receiving a block vote from that community as well as tapping into political correctness which was picking up speed like a speeding bullet and the demand for a black president had its appeal.
Critical thinking and selecting a leader with the appropriate competencies and skills using a strategic process were not a factor; consequently it will take decades to undo the harm done to this country at the hands of his lack of leadership, (indeed if it can recover).
While the secular system of critical thinking developed by Microsoft made some excellent points, did you notice anything missing?
How about character?
Microsoft did not even mention character considerations as criterion for candidates at all. Do we want the highest leader of our country to be of good character? Of course we do!
When the Apostle Paul was advising Titus on how to find good leaders for the church he began with character traits. He wrote it Titus 1:5:
“Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask, “Is this man well-thought-of? Is he committed to his wife? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?” It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message”.
As followers of Jesus Christ we must examine character when we make our choice for President or any elected office. Moses was a leader, and he was a good one. Just imagine if we had such a leader today. What was his philosophy? You can read it for yourself in Exodus. He first identifies the problem and then the dilemma of managing a horde of folks with differing opinions about practically everything and then he came up with the solution.
“At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. The LORD your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as many as the stars in the sky. May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”
I ask you on this election cycle to think! When you form your opinions and decide which candidate will lead us out of the mess we are in, please don’t make your decision based on star appeal, charisma, anger, or single issues. Use critical thinking and examine character. Objectively ask yourself is this person honest and trustworthy, mean spirited, arrogant, overbearing, pursuing dishonest gain, faithful, hospitable, loves what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, disciplined, competent, wise, understanding, respected, and skillful.
Microsoft states, we will get what we deserve in leadership. Selah . . .
Phil. 2:3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves . . .
August 11, 2015 – Click here to listen