CONSIDER THIS: Why Did You Come To Work On Capitol Hill?

Ask a randomly selected dozen congressional aides why they came to Capitol Hill to work in the first place and you can be assured of hearing a wide variety of explanations, ranging from “to save the country” to “it’s a stepping stone,” and from “I just love politics” to “it’s a paycheck and I need it.” And multiple variations thereof come with every additional respondent.

When I first came to D.C., it was to be assistant editor of Conservative Digest, a magazine that in later years I would return to as editor-in-chief. But the first time around only lasted for a little more than a year, as it was sold and the new owner discharged the entire editorial staff. Yes, that was a rather shocking way to end my first professional job!

But a press secretary slot for a Maryland representative was open, my former editor recommended me for it, and I was hired. It didn’t take long at all before I realized that I absolutely loved working on the Hill. It was constantly exciting and challenging, there were lots of great and famous people to be around and I gloried in the history. There were other not-so-good reasons, including the free-flowing booze,  partying and promotions.

Free Booze, Parties and Promotions

I suspect I was not unique in having mixed motives for being on the Hill! I moved up to Chief of Staff (that position was mostly called “Administrative Assistant” or “AA” in those days) for a Texas representatives and then to Communications Director for a Utah senator. That was followed by the Reagan campaign in 80 and then the Reagan administration, and finally a return to journalism where I’ve remained till the present.

Even so, those three years on congressional staffs solidified my continuing love for being on the Hill, talking with staffers and savoring the majesty of the heart of the greatest and freest republic in human history. If you get lucky and can enter the Old Senate Chamber with no one else present, listen closely and I swear you can hear Webster, Clay, Calhoun and Hayne debating the great compromises of 1820 and 1850.

And now? I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in 1991 and, in the years since, as I have grown in my faith and understanding of Him and His Word, I have come to realize something that every Christian working on Capitol Hill should know and make the focus of regular prayer – What is Your purpose in sending me to the Hill, Lord Jesus?

Here are three Scripture verses that provide huge and key insights into the answer to that prayerful question:

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I made you in your Mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work.”

Psalm 139:15-16 – “My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the Earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.”

 John 17:18 – “In the same way that You gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.”

Maybe you came to the Hill to help save America, or to embark on a career as a public servant, or to become a lobbyist and acquire tremendous wealth at home and influence in the halls of Congress. Whatever you thought were your reasons for coming here, however, these three verses above, and many others as well, should make clear that God has His own reasons for putting you here.

I can tell you from my own experience that you will be infinitely happier and more successful the sooner you get in sync with Him.

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