Thought of the Day 12.11.08

This week the Governor of Illinois was arrested for trying to sell President-Elect Barack Obama’s former Senate seat to the highest bidder, even threatening to name himself to it if no one offered enough money.

Having lived in Illinois for most of my adult life, I know Rod Blagojevich pretty well. He is an Eastern Orthodox Serb, an avid Cubs fan, and a former Golden Gloves boxer. He served three terms in the US House (succeeded by Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel), and he was the first Democratic Governor of Illinois in 30 years, elected largely on his pledge to end the corruption in state government. But as the current news reveals, on the inside he’s a foul-mouthed scoundrel blinded by power.

So why would God allow such a miscreant to rise to such a position of power? I suspect His motive is love. Perhaps God gave him the office knowing it’s temptations would destroy him…a destruction which might be the only possible way to give him the humility which might lead his soul to repentance and faith.