Who/What Influences Your Vote?

For as long as I can remember, my vote was shaped around what the elders in my family said, especially my dad. It was that way, because I valued the thoughts and opinions of my elders. There was something special about those who had gone before me. I admired and respected them; therefore, their words were very weighty in my life. As I grew, I started observing the many persuasive ways that candidates would try to obtain votes. Most of the time, it bothered me, because it was deception. I watched how candidates appealed to people’s victim hood, because they knew people assumed that position and embraced that mentality. With that, they were able to appeal to certain voters. I saw block parties, with unhealthy music and food, issued to the minority communities, in exchange for their precious votes. It dawned on me; minorities were selling their priceless “birthright” for lentil soup. I then realized, that culture had somewhat influenced these individuals as well. Culture had a major influence on my voting decisions as well. Then, I though, my parents, my race, my culture, my everything, except God- had influenced my vote. I was ashamed to admit, that I didn’t ask the all knowing One, who would serve the people better. I really didn’t think about if a candidate’s views lined up with God or not. That changed. I began to seek God, and wanted to hear what God had to say. The WAY became my way. It should’ve been that way. Is that your way? Do you ask God about candidates and vote from a Godly place, or are you as I once was- influenced by what everyone has to say, but God? Who/What Influences your vote? Think about that, because generations depend upon it.