It's Character, Stupid

The election is over and the results are in. Depending on your political persuasion, your mood about the future is encouraged or disheartened. Everywhere you turn post mortems are being written on what happened and why. I think Chuck Colson’s thoughtful conclusion hits the mark, “You can talk all you want about the unpopularity of President Bush, or the Iraq war, or immigration. But what this campaign really boiled down to was, well, when it comes to conservatives, it's character, stupid. If conservatives don’t learn that lesson, they will spend a long time in exile — and deservedly so.” Theodore Roosevelt wrote, “Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.” God had something to say, too, Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Habakkuk 2:4 (NLT) I can do nothing about the changes going on in the houses of power in Washington, D. C. but I can make sure that what happens in my house follows the principles given by God. I want a reputation of love, harmony, good times, honesty, and integrity to be present for all who cross the threshold of my front door. My desire is that family will feel at home, guests and friends who enter will feel appreciated and cared for, and strangers will know they are welcome. I have been involved in that political arena in the past and know the dangers inherent with such power. I left that avocation and now my desire is simply stated in 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT), I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. To be able to stand before Him and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”—now that is winning!