One of my fondest memories of childhood was riding my bike on warm, summer evenings to my grandfather's house in Lititz. It was on his front porch that we would listen to baseball games on the radio. As we soaked in the announcers' voices, Grandpa Reedy, who served as the mayor of Lititz for more than a decade, instilled in me much of the political views that I hold so very dear today. Most importantly, he implanted in me that we are called to serve each other. Service is a calling and must be done in a humble manner, no matter how big or seemingly insignificant it may appear. He used to say, "Don't brag. Don't boast. Just help out where you can and you will make a difference."
Esther's story from the Bible seemingly was written for secular Hollywood. The script is a story about a young, extremely attractive girl who becomes part of a King's harem. There are no prayers to God in the book. In fact, Esther is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible. This orphan girl, who was raised by her uncle and faced the fear of death for speaking to the King, saves her people (the Jews) from elimination. Without mentioning God, the entire book of Esther is littered with God's handiwork. Esther willingly followed God's prompting even though the consequences could have been disastrous for her. She didn't brag. She didn't boast. She just listened to her heart and mind, despite what others may have thought at the time.
For years, many who know me contend that one of my purposes in life is to serve the community via public office. Like Esther, people have said that God has been working behind the scenes in my life to get me prepared for public office. I have been getting a strong sense recently that running for public office is what I am supposed to do, despite the tremendous, long odds of actually winning and/or finding people to help me in a campaign. Although I am a member of a political party, I have never been involved "politically", if that makes sense. I have been informed by many in the political know that someone with little to no political experience cannot be taken seriously by the local party faithful, let alone run for office. Fresh ideas don't matter. Only being an involved member of the party matters. It’s nice I want to serve the public, but just buy a barbeque ticket instead.
God calls anyone for a specific purpose no matter their shortcomings, past problems, insurmountable odds or issues. If those called do not heed His calling, He will call someone else for that purpose. Since late last fall, I have been wrestling with God about what I believe He wants me to do.
I know what Esther would do if she had this sense.
I know what my grandfather would say to me if he were alive.
I even what what my message is supposed to be to voters.
However, at this point, I'm still asking God, "why me?"
Esther's story from the Bible seemingly was written for secular Hollywood. The script is a story about a young, extremely attractive girl who becomes part of a King's harem. There are no prayers to God in the book. In fact, Esther is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible. This orphan girl, who was raised by her uncle and faced the fear of death for speaking to the King, saves her people (the Jews) from elimination. Without mentioning God, the entire book of Esther is littered with God's handiwork. Esther willingly followed God's prompting even though the consequences could have been disastrous for her. She didn't brag. She didn't boast. She just listened to her heart and mind, despite what others may have thought at the time.
- BELIEVE that we all have been called to perform a specific purpose
- ACT on this belief by listening and waiting for God's purpose for your life
- SERVE God, then your family, then society
For years, many who know me contend that one of my purposes in life is to serve the community via public office. Like Esther, people have said that God has been working behind the scenes in my life to get me prepared for public office. I have been getting a strong sense recently that running for public office is what I am supposed to do, despite the tremendous, long odds of actually winning and/or finding people to help me in a campaign. Although I am a member of a political party, I have never been involved "politically", if that makes sense. I have been informed by many in the political know that someone with little to no political experience cannot be taken seriously by the local party faithful, let alone run for office. Fresh ideas don't matter. Only being an involved member of the party matters. It’s nice I want to serve the public, but just buy a barbeque ticket instead.
God calls anyone for a specific purpose no matter their shortcomings, past problems, insurmountable odds or issues. If those called do not heed His calling, He will call someone else for that purpose. Since late last fall, I have been wrestling with God about what I believe He wants me to do.
I know what Esther would do if she had this sense.
I know what my grandfather would say to me if he were alive.
I even what what my message is supposed to be to voters.
However, at this point, I'm still asking God, "why me?"