Philippians 4:8-9 AMP
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

If you know me, you know I care deeply for Public Education and how state politics affects it. So deep down I worry that if I only stare at the honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praise-of-God-worthy, I will be like the ostrich who puts his head in the sand and will become a silly buffoon who knows nothing of the world around me. This is because when I manage more of what God asks me to notice, I have more peace and less political engagement, missing out on the latest concerns. I don’t get the political memes on social media and feel rather dumb. 

But is all this “engagement” fruitful? Is it about something that I have any control over? Is it more important for me to share the goings on of state government or to share the word of Christ? When I hear the news, does it really make me into a better neighbor, friend, family member, or wife? Yes, I need to be wise when I choose government officials. In truth, it is only the action of voting that has the tiny potential to change my world for the better and this only happens periodically.

So yes, I need to read and pay attention to godly sources before I vote, realizing how tricky it is to stay informed for the vote without giving myself over to angst and worry. However, it is no big secret that in many political resources evil lurks. Even if I could run out and hold a sign in protest, isn’t it better that I hold a hand? The true power to change my world is really in Christ. Because if there is one thing I know, it is through relationships that Christ works and not through violence, a yard sign, marches, protests or even voting. Jesus demonstrated this in his 33 years in flesh. 

So it comes down to this: Which makes me what God asks me to be? Being informed on the political goings-on? Or walking this difficult life in the peace of God? If thinking on all the beauty and goodness of God pushes out my political concerns, and replaces it with peace, it is most certainly a win. This is my prayer: May I think on the beauty of God all day long and with every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.