We exercised our right to vote and now we face an even bigger responsibility: supporting our leaders and becoming a part of the solution. Our commitment to God and country reaches far beyond a day here or there when we cast an informed ballot. We are called to build community, work together for the common good and seek God’s direction on how to lift up those elected to serve and build up the place where we are planted in this season of our lives.

The Bible does challenge us to be a prophetic voice to the world, including our nation and our local communities, but it also reminds us that judgment begins with the house of God. So, we must be sure we’ve removed the log from our own eye, before we go after the splinter in someone else’s eye. We need to speak out against injustice, but nowhere are we called to complain, deride and malign others. In fact, the scriptural call is quite the opposite. We are commanded to pray for our leaders so it will go well for us in the land. We are to be the emissaries of the Kingdom who actively work to share the love, grace and peace of God in all we do. We are servants of God who with speech seasoned with grace, speak life to the world around us.

The problem is, we like to blame and complain. We want to deal with our frustrations and concerns, but frequently do so by spewing all forms of negativity and anger that only fractures an already broken society. Sometimes, we even feel like we are doing something constructive while we are actively participating in attitudes and actions that destroy.

Let’s face it, not much is required to gripe and complain about things or people. That is the common, ordinary response, but we are an uncommon and extraordinary people. We know that far beyond our elections and votes, God is weaving a master plan that leads to something amazing. We know that God is fully invested in that plan, offering himself in Jesus Christ to heal our human brokenness, grant us forgiveness of sin, and restore us to right relationship with him. We have the Holy Spirit living in us to teach us everything and empower us to accomplish all God sets before us. With such knowledge and empowerment, should we really settle for whining and complaining?

Wouldn’t it be so much more powerful if we took the biblical call to pray for our leaders seriously and did so every day, even on the days they fail or make choices we disagree with? What a witness it could be if we treated others the way we want to be treated. I know how much it hurts in my own life when people speak critically about me. I would much rather engage in dialog and work toward a common understanding. I recognize that I will never be able to please everyone, but I still want to work with those who dislike my leadership for the glory of God and the good of the world. If I want people to respect and seek to understand me, then I ought to offer the same grace to others. The same is true for everyone.

We are given so many gifts in Christ: grace, love and freedom to name a few. What an impact it could make if we shared those same gifts with others, including our leaders. So, I invite you to join me in a choice to be different, to consciously decide not to engage in petty bickering, gossip and hurtful comments; to choose to bless instead of blame and offer the same grace we would like to receive. Let’s watch our words and think carefully about what they create and who they bless, or curse.

I recently found an inspirational image on Facebook that I believe sums things up nicely. Using the acronym THINK it read:

Before you speak: THINK
T – is it True?
H – is it Helpful?
I – is it Inspiring?
N – is it Necessary?
K – is it Kind?

If it passes the test, then maybe we should speak it. If not, maybe we should just talk to God about it.