The Open Door

The process of selecting the next president of the United States has begun. I want to encourage you to be very much in prayer for our nation during these days. Regardless of the candidate you may be supporting, we should all be able to agree that we need a president who understands the times, is able to act with wisdom, and knows the importance of having a personal relationship with the Lord and is faithful in communicating with the Lord in prayer. I am praying that we will elect a president who is a Christian and is deeply devoted to seeking the will of God on a daily basis.

As I was watching the process play out on television the other evening, I thought to myself, “I wonder what the world is thinking as it looks in on our process.” No doubt they recognize that America is unique. Nowhere else is there the openness and freedom of thought and expression that we see here in the United States.

I’m sure that many in the world are shocked as they see and hear the candidates speaking their heart on the issues and entertaining questions regarding their positions, their integrity, their experience, their record of leadership, and their families. Surely, they must be amazed at the power given to the people to govern themselves. It becomes a revelation of what is meant by the words: “government of the people, for the people and by the people.”

It is a privilege to live in the United States. This is, without question, the greatest country on the face of the earth. Whenever I have traveled across the world, I have been asked many times by people if I could possibly help them come to America. Then they say something like, “The dream of my life is to come to the United States of America.”

When I hear United States citizens who are unduly critical of our country, I want to help them pack their bags, buy them a ticket, and send them across the world for a long visit, or better still, a permanent relocation. I assure you, in a few days, they would be whining about being away from America and begging to get back home.

This is one reason I am so devoted to our missionaries. The sacrifices they have made to leave America and go across the world to plant their lives on foreign soil in order to share Christ is not only inspiring, it is convicting. If they are willing to leave home and the daily security and peace of the United States to cross the world with the Gospel, I believe we should support them.

We are blessed. For this reason, we should never allow an election to come and go without getting thoroughly engaged in the voting process. During this presidential election year, when an opportunity to vote comes your way, don’t miss the opportunity.

Express your freedom and power as a citizen of these United States. Make your way to the polls and vote your convictions.