stewardship in an election year

Every once in a while, some newspaper headline or chance encounter reminds me of the role of happenstance in my rather fortunate existence. I was born into a family that provided my basic material needs, that immigrated to the United States, that enabled me to live and vote as an American citizen. I'm not saying that people didn't work hard to bring about these events. I'm simply saying that I did not do anything to deserve being born into circumstances where these things are possible, as compared with someone born into an impoverished village in another part the world where much "smaller" things -- shelter, adequate nutrition, education -- are, quite literally, out of reach.

My good fortune comes with responsibility. I believe that I hold my resources -- money, time, education, opportunities -- as a steward. I cannot (or should not) use them for the sole purpose of maximizing my personal benefit, or pour all of that I have into achieving a comfortable or enviable lifestyle. I'm under obligation to administer these resources in a way to help and love others; I'm accountable to God for how I use these resources.

I've only recently realized that my right to vote as an American citizen is subject to the same stewardship mandate. I rarely think about my American citizenship when I'm in the United States. But when I'm out of the country, I realize what a resource this citizenship can be. It allows me to travel to most places (or at least most places that people would want to visit) with little more than a fee. I have a say, a vote, in the composition of my government, the decisions and actions of which significantly affect the wealth and welfare of people in all different corners of the world.

Voting as steward is different from voting as a liberal or a conservative; it has to be. I can't be lazy and vote based solely on whim; I have to spend time to at least try to understand the likely impact of various laws and candidates. I can't make decisions based solely on the personal benefit that I might derive from the outcome; I have to consider how the outcome might affect my neighbors both inside and outside our borders. And most importantly, I can't waste this very valuable resource; I can't let frustration or a busy schedule get the best of me and fail to vote.

As with any other resource, effort matters. And I don't want to be the steward who has to answer for buried talents.