As the election campaign comes to a peak, there is a heightened sense of anxiety in the air as people seek answers to questions such as: Which of the candidates do you think will be chosen? Who do you think will form the next Government? Who do you think will emerge as the Chief Minister? Do you think he or she would have what it takes to get us through these trying times?

Mrs. Marilyn Hodge

However the answers to those questions depend to a large extent on you - the electorate and the choice you make. You have a part in determining the outcome. If you follow the manual you cannot go wrong. Nobody knows what the outcome will be or what the significance of the next government will mean, but there are things we can be certain about in uncertain times and that is God's sovereignty.
God is sovereign and He alone is in control of all human events, including governments. He puts up and he takes down. Everything is subject to His power. Throughout human history God has managed the affairs of this earth and will continue to do so. Romans 13:1 states, “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers for there is no power but of God.”

You see, in all your decisions, you need to acknowledge God, and let him play his role in that decision. When you do that, there is absolutely no need to worry or fret. Trust the Lord to accomplish His will in His way. God did not leave us in ignorance. He left His manual – the Bible, His blueprint for us to follow. He expects us to consult it and use it as a guide for direction in all our undertakings in life, even as we choose our leaders.

The Bible is a wellspring of knowledge on the subject of leadership and it gives us numerous examples of how leaders were chosen and how to go about choosing them. Moses, the most famous of all personalities in the Bible, was chosen by God to be the leader of the Jewish people, to lead them out of the slavery in Egypt. What was it about Moses that made him God's choice of the Jewish leaders and not anyone else in his generation you may be asking. You see, Moses could be trusted to look after the people. Moses was willing to risk all that he had - his position and wealth, even perhaps his life, to save another Jew who was being wronged in the eyes of God. Moses being true to his character endangered himself to help them!

When a person exhibits such concern for the other with such total disregard for his own person, much less without concern for his own personal gain, is not he the perfect candidate to lead the Jews out of Egypt and be God's intermediate to give the divine law? You see, leaders have a great responsibility. Leaders are servants of the people. They are shepherds ordained to look after God’s people. The peoples’ welfare must always come first. That’s the hallmark of leadership.
The people in those days were just like us. They were also asked to choose leaders to look after their affairs from time to time and they were instructed how to do so. So we need not be apprehensive. All we need to do is follow their example.

The Bible highlights many examples. For instance, when Moses was leading God’s people and the job seemed too great for him, his father- in-law advised him by saying, “Choose men you can trust – men who respect God. Choose men who will not change their decisions for money. And make these men rulers over the people”. Exodus 18: 1-25. Also in Deuteronomy 1:13, when the people multiplied and he was unable to take care of them on his own, he admonished the people to choose wise and discerning men from their tribe that have understanding and experience to be their leaders.

Acts 6:3 also gives us insight as to how leaders were chosen. This is what it says: "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.”

My friends there are twenty candidates before you vying for your support to become elected leaders. Only seven can be elected. The Bible gives us criteria for choosing them. It says “choose men you can trust, men who respect God, men who will not change their decisions for money, choose wise men and discerning men who have understanding and experience, men of good reputation, full of the spirit and of wisdom.” That’s sound wisdom! That’s great advice! What more do we want my friends? It is all laid out for us; we just need to follow it. God knows what is best for us. He did not leave us wondering.

Miriam and Moses also proposed a model of leadership that can be emulated. They led by example. They served their people rather than ruled them and did what they believed God wanted rather than serving their own ends. Those are examples of people whom we need to choose. 1 Samuel 16:17 says, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

How often do we judge a person simply by appearance? We make our assumptions at first sight. Does he/she look strong, confident, or intelligent? Does he/she dress well? Does he/she have a degree? Can he/she speak well? Does he/she look good? Does good bone structure mean that he/she has good character? And, how often are we fooled?

Go through the scriptures my friend and you will see whom the Lord used to do mighty works for Him. You will be surprised because it was not the rich and the famous; it was not the educated and the learned. He used people who were available and who were teachable. God does not choose by our standards. God looks at the heart and He judges a person’s faith and character. Those are the two traits that God looks for when searching for someone after His own heart. Aren’t they traits that we should be looking for, also?
So when Election Day comes around, go forward with God before you and vote as He instructed. You cannot go wrong if you do so.

Remember: Our participation will determine the future of our nation.

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