Positions of Influence

When we reflect on ways that we can serve God, there are multiple opportunities that He may afford us within the course of our lifetimes.  Certainly, we seek to live a life of obedience, and that involves our personal daily walk, the witness we have in our homes, our workplaces, and our churches.  And, there may be an occasion to serve our communities in other ways.  We can be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit and follow His direction.  In Scripture, in 1st Peter 4 (ESV), we can read:
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

One way in which we serve God and reflect His truth is to participate in the electoral process. This is an important year regarding our governmental leadership - in Alabama, voters will have the opportunity to select from candidates who are running for various offices.  The entirety of the Alabama Legislature is up for re-election - and statewide offices will be filled, as well.  There may be local elections, too.  On the federal level, the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate will be selected, including an important Senate election in Alabama.  Christians have an opportunity to participate in this process by exercising a God-given duty and responsibility to select leaders who best reflect our Biblical worldview.

And, some may sense a call to serve in the political realm that extends to running for office. I certainly respect those Christians who are outspoken in their faith, exercising Godly wisdom and being an influence for His truth.  I came across the story of a young lady who is certainly influential in using the public platform God has given her, but also stepping up to serve on a local governmental board.  A non-elective office, but important just the same.

Nashville's NewsChannel 5 reported in October:

Conservative activist and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines has been appointed to the Sumner County Library Board, according to Sumner County Commissioner, Jeremy Mansfield.

Gaines was added to the board on Monday evening as one of the two vacancies.
Gaines is a former collegiate swimmer for the University of Kentucky and is known for campaigning against the participation of trans women in women's sports.

The article reports that her father, Brad Gaines, a former Vanderbilt football player, had announced his intention to run for Congress.  

Riley had taken part in the See You at the Library campaign, which emphasized the importance of making sure libraries are serving the public in a responsible way, not allowing inappropriate influences, such as Drag Queen Story Hours and objectionable books with sexual themes, to be available for children.

The TV station embedded an X post to that effect in its article, in which Gaines commented:

Tennessee banned tax dollars from funding woke gender ideology, but my own county’s library board is ignoring it.  

These books (and others) were challenged by concerned parents in February, but to no prevail.  

Remove this filth from our libraries!

Her comments were accompanied by a graphic that showed pictures of various objectionable books.

A number of public libraries, schools, and other venues have become battlegrounds where the hearts and minds of children are exposed to harmful influences, where perverse sexuality is driving an agenda that leads to corruption.  Having Christians in positions where they can actually speak truth and exercise wisdom can be extremely beneficial to our culture.

While a library board or a school PTA is not an elective office from the general public, expressing interest in serving in these or other capacities can lead to someone being appointed to a board or elected by the bodies themselves.  But, in areas of service, we should make ourselves available - making our interest known.

Our faith in Christ and dependence on Him can lead us into places where we can be part of real change, of shepherding real transformation in our communities - speaking truth into a variety of issues.  This type of work is not for everyone, but you may want to consider it. But, service to our Savior is for every Christian, and we can seek His wisdom and direction as we dedicate ourselves to His cause.