An Infallible Guide on the Road to the White House

Posted by: K.D. Hastings on March 25, 2008 Featured Article •

Before my family left town on a short trip during spring break, I purchased a GPS unit to help guide us on our way.

While the particular unit I bought is regarded as a low-end unit, it was well rated by consumers and included the feature I wanted most—text-to-speech. The female voice, while poorly enunciating many words, gave us confidence as we navigated unfamiliar streets.

Now at home where I know the roads, the unit is simply a curiosity. With no remorse or fear, I disobey the unit’s calls to turn left in ½ mile and willfully ignore its chastising tone as it tells me to “make a legal U-turn.”

Yet if you are in an unfamiliar area, a GPS unit can be quite handy. And as long as your inputs are accurate, the GPS unit provides an accurate route.

On our jaunt to the beach, we discovered the unit was not infallible. Searching its database of “points of interest,” we asked it to direct us to the closest Wal-Mart. We dutifully followed its commands, impressed by its knowledge and the certainty of its tone. It was only when we made a turn and noted signs welcoming us to a state park that we began to seriously doubt the unit. Then when only a few feet into the park the GPS unit announced, “You have arrived,” we knew the machine was not to be fully trusted.

The little machine was thoroughly convinced our car was in the parking lot of a Super Wal-Mart; we knew we were entering Gulf Shores State Park.

As it turned out, the discount store was about a half mile behind us. The unit told us to turn left when we should have turned right.

We make decisions about what route to take everyday and most of them have nothing to do with turning right or left and going straight on the highway. During 2008, all of us who are of voting age will have the opportunity to make a decision on who should represent us in Congress and who should take up residence in the White House.

Just as I do with my GPS, beware where you place your confidence. During the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan said of the Soviets, “Trust, but verify.” It is sage advice for us as we consider our options on Election Day.

Until that day, we will continue to be bombarded by messages—from the candidates and their surrogates—on the issues. Shifting through the chaff and making a decision on who has earned your vote in any contested political race is difficult. A sure foundation for this task is biblical precepts. Looking to your faith-informed convictions is a ready and reliable aid in determining who gets your support.

That’s values-based voting. Fulfilling your civic duty in this way means you ignore party labels and turn aside personal desires to vote for a candidate simply because they will benefit you economically. It involves weighing each candidate’s stance on the issues with the Bible’s perspective on the issue, as much as possible. Your values can give you needed direction.

I’ve learned I can’t completely trust my nifty but fallible GPS device. I can, however, completely trust God’s revealed Word as a guidepost in making my Election Day decisions.

Next entry: All the Candidates’ Faith Previous entry: Letting Your Voice Be Heard

Comments