All the Jobs
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is acquiring more responsibility, as U.S. President Donald Trump has named him interim national security advisor in addition to his current role leading the State Department. The announcement comes alongside news that outgoing national security advisor Mike Waltz has been nominated to be ambassador to the United Nations—a post for which Rep. Elise Stefanik was originally nominated before the president withdrew her nomination.
Analysis and eternal perspective: This cabinet level shakeup comes shortly after Waltz made headlines by inadvertently adding a journalist to a Signal chat that disclosed sensitive military operations and deliberations. The White House says the personnel move does not stem from that series of events and that it still has confidence in Waltz, thus the nomination as ambassador to the United Nations. Meanwhile, a permanent national security advisor is expected to be nominated soon, but the post requires Senate confirmation, so it is likely Sec. Rubio will have double duty for some time.
It is an awesome responsibility to be tasked with a cabinet level position (much less two). We as Jesus followers should be praying for every cabinet member in every administration (1 Tim 2:1-2). The decisions made by these senior officials often have sweeping impact all around the world.
At the same time, we should resist the urge to get overly swept up by the palace intrigue and personnel drama that so frequently consumes Washington. It is vitally important that morally upright people be called upon to serve in places of authority (Pr. 29:2). But no person is entitled to an earthly position of authority, and each of us has a role in promoting flourishing in our society by praying for those who accept the mantle of leadership.
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Pr. 29:2).
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.