There are two aspects of my life that I am passionate about. They are spiritual and political. I am passionate about them because they shape and impact my present and my future.
I am blessed to be the daughter, the wife, the niece and a sister-in-law of amazing men of God who write and preach some inspiring sermons. I attend a church where the senior pastor is a prolific writer and speaker; you're never bored listening to his sermons. I enjoy hearing people talk about these men in my life with gratitude for their inspiring words of faith and hope. I love the Christ of whom they preach. I've found the faith, hope and salvation they speak about and wouldn't ever think about living any other life. I have a blessed life.
Living in the home I'm blessed with, we pay attention to politics as well. We believe it is not only our right but it is our responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America to participate in the process that supports these freedoms. We have taught our children that if you don't participate in the process and vote, then you have no right to complain or criticize. The political shenanigans, speeches, debates and propaganda really get to me after awhile.
The interesting thing about these two very different and diverse areas of my life is how similar they really are. A politician and a minister have positions of influence in peoples lives. Their job is to convince, persuade and challenge people to support their cause, belief or party. Their oratory can be boring, fiery, animated, passionate or charismatic. They are recorded, quoted, and taped. They are talked about, lied about, idolized, misquoted, loved and hated. They live in glass fish bowls and their life as well as the lives of anyone who is connected to them are examined and judged. Depending on your persuasion, the same politician or minister can be seen as the hero or the villain.
At the end of the day, however, it's not the words of their sermon or speech that matter. Anybody can write a sermon. It's the life they live that's important. It all goes back to the age old adage 'Actions speak louder than words.'
I'm tired of hearing charismatic speeches and sermons. You don't impress me with your oratory ability and your winning personality. Your percentages in the polls do not impress me or convince me to vote for you. The number of people that attend your church does not persuade me that you or the God you say you serve is a place I want to be or the God I want to dedicate my life to.
No, I choose to vote for you because your values are reflected in your voting record or your work in the community. I attend your church not because of the prolific oratory of your sermons, but because you extend mercy and forgiveness when I fail or people do you wrong. You show kindness and love to every person in your life without favor. You help others when they are hungry, hurting, destitute and just want attention.
Anybody can write a sermon. The people I choose to vote for and allow in my life and the lives of my family will be those who live out the life they sermonize about.
