Communication and Prayer for your Leaders

One of the unique experiences I am currently honored to be a part of is the College Advisory Board of Winston Salem.  What is the College Advisory Board, also known as CAB? 

Our purpose is to serve as an advisory council to the City Council in regards to areas such as economic development projects, transit advocacy, and student housing that will encourage students to remain in the Winston Salem area after graduation.

Why would I write about this?  Good question.  Glad you asked.  😁

1.  Involvement
2. Accurate Information
3. Influence

I happen to follow news, to a certain degree.  I find that the media has the ability to shape public opinion, concern, and culture through its content.  The average citizen is much more concerned about their immediate well-being, and daily responsibility to get into minute details about government affairs.  We truly, as a society, have become the "happy meal" population.  The lack of involvement or indifference to matters of government is ingrained in culture.

People will say there are three things you don't talk about, and one of those is politics.  I find that a bit odd when politics affects our lives.  You should be aware of the things that elected officials do in your stead.  We live in a democratic society, but our government is a republic form of representation.  Senators and Representatives makes decisions daily that will impact our lives. You understand that even on a local level things like zoning, school zoning, allocation of resources, property taxes, waste management, traffic laws, public housing and safety, public assistance, public ordinances as well as many other issues are being decided upon for you.  Most of the time without you.

The bible declares that the land does well when the king is righteous.  Further, we should pray for all in authority that "we" may lead quiet and peaceable lives.  That's odd that even as religious people we are told about governing and to pray.  I don't think it is odd. 

I will state it this way:  Your involvement in your government will aid you in having accurate information by which you can have an influence in affairs through your vote.  This is the system that is in place in the United States.  That is one of the simplest forms of Communication.  Your vote speaks!

Since I am in a position, nominated, I can have influence.  Influence can be more powerful than you think.  Popular culture tells us what to eat, drink, wear, speak, like, dislike, support, and more through influence.  Everyday you are bombarded -- your senses -- through suggestive manipulation.  You see, hear, taste, and feel on a regular basis.  Believe it or not, there is a pull on your mind and heart, even though it is unseen, it is felt.  That my friends is influence.  It is powerful.

We live in a season where we can either choose to know or not.  Let's be the type of people that are at least aware of what's happening.  Be patient in our judgments or judge nothing before the time.  If you have a voice, and you do, the best way to exercise that voice is to know what you are talking about and to use that influence for the betterment as much as possible.  In the United States we have many freedoms that other world citizens do not.  I emphasize the word free in the word freedoms.  There is a wealth of information that we can access freely.  Why not exercise that freedom of information status -- no pun intended.

Having spoke at length I would ask that you remember to pray for the leaders.  I am aware of the difficult task it is to govern.  We pray for wisdom and wise counsel in the decision making process.  We pray for safety for those in the armed forces.  Above all we pray that God guides the heart of our leaders.