Faced with choice

Well, the inevitable has happened and within a month we will have to choose our new MP from the candidates on offer. As a Christian I always feel slightly uncomfortable when it comes to marking the cross on the ballot paper. Should I choose a candidate who is pro-Christian (or actually a Christian), even if I don’t like the sort of policies they want, or should I go for the policies – even if my choice is heavily influenced by the policies that seem to benefit me and my family? Do I make the effort and go to a meeting where all the candidates are present and pick the one that seems most genuine? This time round I can even use the debates on the television to ‘choose’ the Prime Minister I prefer.

The problem is the Bible doesn’t really help a great deal when you are trying to select a leader. The Old Testament Jewish nation relied on God at first to choose the next leader. Once they had a King (again selected by God) they followed the Royal line. In the New Testament, Jesus tells his followers that His Kingdom is not of this world. Does this mean we should chicken out and not vote at all?

Then of course I remember that until the late 19^th century people like me (and probably you, unless you come from a rich family) didn’t have the vote, and had to rely on our ‘betters’ to vote for the right people. That was true for everyone in the New Testament as well, where they had to accept the Roman Empire as the ultimate ruler. Paul was only too aware of this when he wrote to Timothy saying:

 ‘I urge that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness’ [1 Tim.2:1-2]. 

He knew that for the Church, which had no choice in the matter, it was far more important to pray – to ask God, who ultimately makes the choice to give us leaders that enable us to continue living our Christian lives.

So as I make my way to the ballot box perhaps what I should do is pray before making a choice – forgetting all my own personal ‘wants’ in a politician, and looking to God to ‘choose’ rulers who will enable us to live our Christian lives peacefully. After all God answered the New Testament Christians’ prayers by eventually by bringing to power a Roman Emperor who became a Christian and made Christianity the worldwide religion it is today. At the time I would not have chosen Constantine – but God knew what he was doing!

Having choice really makes it hard to actually choose the right way. In politics, and in life too, we should ask God to guide us in our choices.