How appropriate that the reading today in 1 Timothy 3 involves choosing the leaders for God’s people. In a few hours I will wake up and head to the polls to cast my ballot for those that I feel will do the least harm…er I mean do the best job at leading our nation, state, city, etc. Choosing leaders is so important. God’s instructions for his church focus on several areas of leadership including character, reputation, and leadership ability. The qualities of a good leader in God’s eyes are not necessarily the same as what most people will consider when voting today. There is no asking what will this person do for me or how will this person protect me or even if we agree on all the right issues. The focus is on how this person has demonstrated that they are walking closely with God. There is no mention of good looks or mastery of language. And what this person is NOT can be clearly seen in the passages in Jeremiah
You, Judah, have as many gods as you have towns; and the altars you have set up to burn incense to that shameful god Baal are as many as the streets of Jerusalem. Jeremiah 11:13
You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. Jeremiah 12:2
May we honor our leaders at all levels for the hard work that they do. And may we honor our God by choosing leaders that will also honor Him.
