Are you sure?
This bookmark will be removed from all folders and any saved notes will be permanently removed.
Now that the election is over…
Originally appeared on spirituality.com
Now that the US Presidential election is over, our real involvement in politics is just beginning. That’s right; simply casting your ballot didn’t end the momentum. Because, when you think about it, the political fervor we’ve seen is really about something more than just electing a leader. Our hopes are actually bound to something more than just a personality; we hope for what might be called righteous government—government that embodies the spiritual principles that we most cherish. And that’s a right desire, no matter your ideology.
On the American scene, Thomas Jefferson spoke of spiritual principles in the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of a young country. He spoke of the fact that all individuals are created equal and that all of us are endowed by our Creator with certain “unalienable” rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While we may all unite on that premise, implementing those ideals can become somewhat problematic. And we just might ask, “Whose job is it to do that anyway?”
Realistically speaking, we can’t really expect a group of elected leaders to be entirely responsible for the task of steering a nation. Each of us bears the responsibility to ensure that those sentiments of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” find their way into everyday life. And that begins with our own attitudes and how we put them into practice. It takes committed thought and humble prayer to allow for the rights and noble pursuits of all individuals. It takes something more than just a sense of fair play. If we see prayer as something more than just asking or pleading for a desired outcome, it’s the most powerful and unselfish contribution we can make.
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
