The Boldness Weapon: Baa Baa Brave Sheep, think before you vote

By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

This familiar little rhyme plays out in our reality today. Someone asks, the sheep answers, and the wool gets distributed, no questions asked. Yes, I’m borrowing that “Yes, sir, yes, sir” just for a moment, because during election season, many would appreciate that response from us—our vote, loyalty, and perhaps three bags full. But before handing everything over, we might ask: Have I thought this through, or am I just going along?

We all begin life as little people in a big person’s world. Adults guide us on where to go and what to do—and why putting peas up our nose, though fun, isn’t the best use of vegetables. We need adults’ guidance; after all, we’re children. Eventually, though, we’re meant to grow up and take responsibility for our lives, both physically and spiritually. Physically, that’s puberty. However, the spiritual side means learning to think, choose, and act without needing everyone’s permission, and to connect it to our physical side. Meaning mind over matter; for the Christian, that’s the mind of Christ over the flesh.

Here’s the problem: Sometimes we grow up but still let other people think for us—and let their approval shape our decisions, often by abusing our feelings. A pastor. A politician. Even that particularly opinionated person at Thanksgiving. You know whom I mean. When someone important disagrees with us, we might feel small again instead of thinking clearly and maturely. Therefore, recognizing reliable authority can empower us to make confident, grounded choices. 

Simply put, authority is the rightful or reliable responsibility to make decisions and answer for how we use it. Please notice the answering part. Biblically, authority is rooted in God’s design and comes with accountability, emphasizing our overall spiritual responsibility before God and our neighbors. 

People often understand authority through its components: strength, expertise, influence, position, and one more aspect I’ll share in a moment. Each deserves thoughtful consideration and careful examination. Strength can protect or intimidate. Expertise gives focus with limits. Influence can spread wisdom or fear. Position brings responsibilities and boundaries. Then there’s humility—the other aspect—which means being willing to listen, accept correction, and submit to rightful authority. Humility is key: Anyone who wants to lead should also know how to be accountable for their leadership, including you and me.

Question: Who do you personally hold yourself accountable to one-on-one and face-to-face in your decision-making and reality? It must be another person. The Apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Jesus.” Someone must be the test giver with objective authority to do so. In other words, we can’t come up with our own answers to life’s test.

In Matthew 10, Jesus gives His students authority and sends them to proclaim the kingdom and serve people. They have heard His teaching. Now they must practice it and be objectively accountable to it. It’s time to get off the mountain with the teacher (Sermon on the Mount) and into the neighborhood, and we know this: the neighborhood has teeth.

“I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16, KJV).

Well… that certainly changes our nursery rhyme, “Baa, baa, black sheep…” Now, doesn’t it! Jesus knows His apprentices will face rejection, powerful officials, and even betrayal. They must exercise the responsibility He has given them, even as people pressure them to surrender it. Then Jesus says:

 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28, KJV).

The rest of the chapter directs their fear toward God (the fear of God), who holds authority over soul and body. Jesus then reminds them that their Father notices sparrows and numbers the hairs on their heads. Meaning, they answer to God, and they matter to Him, more so than any other human “authority.” I hope you agree; that’s the foundation for the boldness weapon, or trait, of Christ.

Boldness means doing what is right before God, even when someone’s reaction frightens us or sows doubt. Now, during election season, that means being discerning and taking responsibility for our judgment (vote) and the consequences that follow, one way or another. 

Now, as people created in God’s image, with the authority of Christ (check out the Great Commission [Matthew 28:18-20]), we have been entrusted with lives to steward and neighbors to consider. Our choices matter. So, examine the candidates. Consider their policies, records, character, and the consequences of their proposals. Question troubling claims, even those from someone you support, and listen carefully. Pray honestly. Remain willing to learn. A party affiliation cannot do all that for us. Neither can a favorite commentator—or, for that matter, a pastor. And sincere Christians may reach different conclusions. We should be careful not to attach God’s name to every political preference we hold. Therefore, Jesus calls His sheep to wisdom and innocence. Our boldness should carry both.

So, before our next “Yes, sir, yes, sir,” let’s take responsibility for the answer. Then vote thoughtfully and courageously, with care for our neighbors. That way, we can be “sheep” in God’s flock, with more to offer than wool locally and collectively; may we grow up with Christ’s instructions (engrained in our soul—the Gospels) to truly have authority as God’s people or sheep.

So yes, we begin as suckling lambs, but eventually we must grow up physically and spiritually—even when the neighborhood has teeth. 

As always—God is here. God is able. God is good.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but we support the author’s constitutional right to express those opinions.