Historically, leaders of Principalities, States and Countries have placed themselves as being less removed from God as the rest of us, dictating to their subjects and citizens mandates and laws that have been stated by God but interpreted and delivered by those same leaders.  "State" clergymen would give their blessings to the edicts and mandates, labeling them as the Will of God.  As any student of history knows, many religions have fractured due to the strain of blessing decisions that ultimately proved to be not in the best interests of the "common" man.  

Without actually defining God, even the government of the United States, to this day, allies itself with the supreme being, printing the message of "In God We Trust" on our most sacred of instruments, namely the almighty dollar bill.  In that alliance is implied Trust of the government next to Trust in God.  With the power of the federal government over the last two hundred years growing stronger and stronger it has now reached the level of a deity.  It really is not difficult for anyone to believe, as representatives of our government profess their faith in God at every opportune moment despite the personal failings as human beings they demonstrate daily, that somehow the will of God is being expressed by those "representatives" and their impossibly difficult deliberations aimed at providing just and equitable outcomes for their noble citizens.  I find it laughable until I witness those around me who somehow find it sincere.  Our leaders still strive to remind us that our efforts as a nation are the Will of God, and that our military is outfitted with "God's Soldiers".

As the notion of God has been formed in our minds and in our hearts as being somehow removed from us, leading us from a position "out there" beyond our reach and our touch, so too has the government become.  I point to the fact that one would have to be an imbecile to not know that Barack Obama is President of the United States and at the same time totally ignorant of who the Mayor of his town is or who represents him on the city council, or even of where and when that council meets.  In our focus upon Washington, D.C., we have divested ourselves of our local representatives whose decisions really have the greatest impact upon our daily lives, and that, of course, is why many of us feel so powerless when it comes to those things "governmental".  

I would call upon all to take their outward gazes and then redirect them.  As God truly resides "within", removing your consideration from yourself removes your consideration of God and the responsibility each of us has for living his life in a truthful and loving way.  At the same time, remove your gaze from the national "stage" and redirect it to your local governments if true and just change is something you truly desire.  President Obama will not fix the pot-holes in your streets or place reliable equipment in your fire houses.  City council meetings should have to be held in the largest auditorium available in your locality and not in some back room at City Hall.  

Have a conversation with yourself and then have a conversation with your neighbors.  Lead them all to city hall and show them what "grass roots" really is.  Develop a local government that is led by and responsive to its citizens, leading us to accountability that will ultimately stretch all the way to Washington.