Election manifesto

A few hours to go before the much talked about general elections. It seems that many people including Christians have given much thought about who they wish to vote. Some of my friends have been to 'ceramahs' to gather more information about the candidates and the different parties' election manifestos. Every party is trying to win the favor of the people and all of them have quite extensive written statements about what they stand for. These statements all declare their desire to work untiringly for the good of every citizen in this country. Will they be able to keep their 'promises' after their victory? Will every party member be able to declare undying loyalty to the party's manifesto?

All this reminds me that Christians have our own manifesto given by our leader over 2000 years ago. I believe it is summed up well in Jesus' well quoted "Sermon on the Mount". Every time I read, for example the Beatitudes or "Blessings" I have to ask myself whether I have been able to live out what implicitly if not explicitly I have given assent to by calling myself a Christian and of course I know how far short I am of living up to the mark. Do all Christians live up to or at least make serious attempts to live up to our manifesto? Are we loyal 'party members' in our Lord's 'party', as we expect the candidates we vote for in the general election, to be to theirs? We may not all be called to play upfront roles on the political front. But all Christians are called to walk the way of the Cross with Jesus, in order to experience the victory he won for us. This is what the Christian spiritual journey is all about, but we may be reminded all the more during this season of Lent. Are we able to admit our weaknesses, humbly and graciously, in order to improve? Are the parties we support doing the same - or are they just flashing their better side, while carefully hiding under the carpet what would not look good on election banners? How do we assess the candidates and decide if they will honestly strive for justice and righteousness for all? What would happen if people 'assess' the Christian faith according to the integrity of its followers? When people look at us do we represent our leader or rather 'Lord', well? Do we live out his manifesto so evidently that the watching world would want to know why we live the way we do? And be eager to 'sign up' and meet our leader too?

We would be most 'blessed' if we do live up to Jesus' manifesto, and we could in turn share that blessing with those around us.