Discernment and Politics
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
My prayer this election cycle is for Godly discernment. My hope is that the men and women running for office will balance the wishes of their supporters, the thoughts of their opponents, and seek Godly wisdom in every decision they make up to the election and as they govern if they win. I also pray that the voters will also exercise Godly discernment when choosing the person who will govern all of us.
Discernment is a word that is not often used these days. It simply means: the ability to judge well. Discernment shapes our entire lives. It is our ability to take everything in and then make a good, well thought out, decision. We all do this everyday of our lives for things big and small. The bible gives us a guide full of examples of regular folks and leaders, some who show great discernment and others not so much.
God’s word teaches that we as believers, whether we are in a leadership position or not, don’t just make decisions based on what’s best for us. We consider others needs as well as our own. We also consider God’s wishes in all our decisions.
Using discernment is so important in our own lives, but even more for folks who run for office, as how they discern right from wrong shapes the communities and our very country in which we live. We have a role to play in that too. We get to choose our leaders by voting. You have a choice to make and I know it can be very difficult. You have to make a judgment; you have to show discernment.
Pray, seek God’s wisdom, study up on the issues in our country and read the Bible to help with that decision. Know that the decision you make helps shape the discernment of our leaders. What we vote for or against directly affects our leaders and the decisions they make.
It’s not easy to make sure that all of the information we take in is not what we hear and see from the world. Be careful not to join the crowd, any crowd. Consider future generations, think of your neighbor and their well-being and always seek God’s will. It’s ultimately His will that we pray is done in all circumstances. And that charge is not for our leaders, but for us as voters as well.
Willie Robertson is the CEO of Duck Commander and Buck Commander and star of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty”. Robertson has expanded his family companies, from a living room operation to a multi-million-dollar enterprise and destination for all things outdoors. Duck Commander is the best-selling duck call brand in the U.S. It, along with Buck Commander are popular trademarks on apparel, hunting gear, food items and more. Robertson is executive producer of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” and “Buck Commander” on the Outdoor Channel. He is the New York times best-selling author of “The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family and Ducks Built a Dynasty,” “American Hunter” and “American Fisherman.” The husband to Korie Robertson and father of six, Robertson’s story is a remarkable example of entrepreneurship and dedication built on hard work, faith, and family.
Follow Willie on Instagram @realwilliebosshog
