Hands On or Off the Wheel

Governor Sanford issued his latest apology today, which you can read here. This was published one day after an opinion piece about neo-Nazi James Von Brunn by Rabbi Marc Wilson, which you can read here. Although Rabbi Wilson is tackling a difficult and totally unrelated subject, there are words that Governor Sanford should note.

Part of the governor's apology includes this statement:

"It’s in the spirit of making good from bad that I am committing to you and the larger family of South Carolinians to use this experience both to trust God in his larger work of changing me and, from my end, to work to becoming a better and more effective leader."

This is an interesting perspective of self when compared to this part of Rabbi Wilson's piece:

"Reb Moshe Leib Sassover asserted that every human attribute, however base, could be converted into a virtuous deed. Once upon a time, Reb Moshe was taunted by a disciple to explain how atheism could become honorable. “Even that,” Reb Moshe proclaimed. “For if someone comes to you in hurt, you may not say, ‘Take your problems to God.’ No, at that moment, you must become an atheist, act as if there is no God; that there is only one force that can help this man. YOU!”"

My own take on this is more like Reb Moshe. In times of crisis, whether it be personal, professional, or both you must act. God gives us the wisdom, the free will, and the ability to choose the course we will take. At the core we know what the correct action is. It's whether or not we choose to take that action that puts us in or out of line with the teachings of our faith.

Governor Sanford is one of a long list of mostly "conservative" politicians who espouse using the guidance of God in their decision-making when it comes to their politics, but seem to leave Him at the door when it comes to their personal lives (for references, see Craig, Larry; Ensign, Jon; Clinton, William; Gingrich, Newt; Vitter, David; et al). Perhaps the cynicism of the American public about the people we elect to office is what lets them (usually) survive scandal. It doesn't make it right, but it gives them breathing room to think that maybe, just maybe, they can hold on to the power we have given them for a little while longer. If they can do that, then maybe our collective memories will have faded enough to give them our votes once again.

Fortunately for those of us in South Carolina, Governor Sanford is term-limited and has about 18 months left in office. Hopefully during that time he will decide not whether God will be a presence in his life, but whether he will consistently act in the manner that God expects all His children to act, whether we consciously seek His guidance or not.

Is God the pilot or the co-pilot? Do you have to consult with God before making any decision, no matter how small? Or do you instinctively know when to do the right thing? I prefer to think I'm the one behind the wheel of my own life, but I'm using a GPS designed by God to get me where I need to go. Whether I choose to stay on the optimal route or look for a way that will be faster or shorter is up to me. I know of people who prefer to think of God as the pilot and if that works for them, that's great. I only wish more of them actually lived like it.