America’s Desperate Need for a Great Leader

By Karen Friday

A substantial part of a nation’s success rises and falls on its leadership.

Admittedly, I have a love-hate relationship with several things in life. Technology is my friend until it’s not functioning properly, then it’s my worst enemy. Pure joy describes my sentiments for particular foods. Yet, they can turn against my body at any moment through an allergy or health issue.

I’ve grown weary of politics—love little, hate most. However, there’s a need as an American and believer of Christ to be involved, take a stand, have an active voice, and pray over my voting choices—and for goodness sake—to vote (which I never take lightly).

If politics are functioning properly for us, we love it. When the reverse is true, we loathe it.

The old adage to never talk about religion or politics is absurd. If anything should be discussed, it should be our beliefs and particularly our spiritual beliefs to the utmost.

The term politically correct annoys me. It’s a misnomer. Nothing is politically correct. Correct means to be free from error. Politics—people for that matter—can never be free from error. The term also denotes neutrality. Again, a misnomer. One cannot be neutral about political beliefs or any beliefs. Either you are for (in favor of) something or against it.

I’m in favor of being Godly correct.

Therefore, I will talk about my belief in God and in talking about Him, I must discuss His leadership in aspects about life, society, and yes, politics.

There are bad people in every walk of life. The way to protect against bad leadership is to find a good leader. Our great nation, America, and every nation, needs a strong leader in its top position. A leader who is, well, perfect.

Consider all the debating, the rants, the raves, the statistics, the online drama, and those campaign ads meant to cut throats with words. It seems what we really need is a perfect leader. One who is without error.

As we make our pro and con lists about candidates and leaders, let’s be reminded of a truth:

Only one person in history was perfect.

The perfect leader. The greatest leader of all time. He painted a picture of leadership that we haven’t seen on the canvas of another human since. He was a servant. Humble. Gracious. Merciful. Above reproach. No evil dwelled in Him. That can’t be said of any politician because it can’t be said of any human being.

His name is Jesus. He was without error and He wasn’t politically correct. He annoyed the religious leaders and dignitaries of His day, and waged war against neutrality to spiritual and moral beliefs in life. God is the utmost.

Jesus described it this way, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-15, ESV.)

Jesus talked about religion and politics. How corrupt they can turn, and how the corruption can leak into culture and the church when we are following the wrong leader.

They killed Him.

Before we judge too sternly, we kill the example of His leadership:

• When we attempt to choose political correctness over Jesus correctness.
• When we make life about religion instead of an intimate, spiritual relationship with God.
• When we desire to be great leaders, but fail to take our cues from the greatest leader of all time.

There are strong leaders, a few good men and women, in powerful positions of our nation. There are good leaders who are candidates for upcoming elections including the presidency. It’s important to stay informed, do our homework and research, and pray.

Let God paint the picture of leadership on our heart and life. God, let it start with me. Serve in humility. Dispense grace and mercy. Strive for Jesus’ very nature to dwell in us—the only hope to be above reproach and battle evil.  

For America’s sake, pray for these qualities in the leaders we now have in office and will elect to office.

America’s Desperate Need for a Great Leader is found in Jesus.

Jesus, lead me. Lead our nation. Lead our leaders. Amen.

© 2015 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved