Thanksgiving isn’t just a time to count our blessings. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on our responsibilities, especially as leaders. This year, as we come out of a contentious election season, there’s a clear call for Christian, conservative leaders to step up with renewed authority. The stakes are high. The cultural and spiritual battles we’re facing require leaders who are bold, faithful, and unwavering.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

Proverbs 29:2

I don’t know about you, but there’s been a whole lot of groaning in our country lately. We see it in our communities, in our schools, in our workplaces. People are tired of broken promises and leaders who waver when they should stand strong. Now, more than ever, it’s time for godly leaders to take their place.

But what does it mean to lead with renewed authority? First, it means recognizing that our authority isn’t rooted in our positions or titles, but in God’s calling on our lives. Whether you’re leading a government, a team, a ministry, or your own family, your influence comes from the One who called you, not from the approval of people. That’s crucial to remember in a world obsessed with opinions and polls.

Second, leading with renewed authority means getting back to the basics. This Thanksgiving, as we look back at our country’s founding principles, let’s not forget that America was built on biblical values. Our leaders prayed for wisdom, sought God’s guidance, and believed in personal responsibility. Today, those values are under attack, and it’s up to us to defend them—not with anger, but with strength and conviction.

Renewed authority also requires us to be watchmen. In Ezekiel 33:6, God warns about the responsibility of the watchman:

But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.

Friends, we can’t afford to stay silent. We have to sound the alarm when we see moral decay or threats to our freedoms. We have to protect the values that made this country great.

But here’s the key: renewed authority doesn’t mean dominating or bulldozing over people. It means leading from a place of deep conviction and unshakeable faith. It means loving our neighbors enough to tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. It means stewarding our influence well, knowing that God has placed us here for such a time as this.

So as you sit down with your family this Thanksgiving, be grateful for the blessings we still have—and commit to protecting them. Pray for wisdom. Pray for courage. And pray for God to renew your strength as a leader. We need faithful, conservative voices who aren’t afraid to stand up for what’s right. We need leaders who will rebuild our communities and restore what’s been broken, starting with prayer and conviction.

This week, let’s remember that our authority comes from God, and our responsibility is to lead well. In a culture desperate for truth and direction, let’s be the ones who answer that call. With gratitude in our hearts and purpose in our steps, we can make a difference that echoes far beyond this Thanksgiving season.

About the author

Scott K. James

A 4th generation Northern Colorado native, Scott K. James is a veteran broadcaster, professional communicator, and principled leader. Widely recognized for his thoughtful, common-sense approach to addressing issues that affect families, businesses, and communities, Scott, his wife, Julie, and son, Jack, call Johnstown, Colorado, home. A former mayor of Johnstown, James is a staunch defender of the Constitution and the rule of law, the free market, and the power of the individual. Scott has delighted in a lifetime of public service and continues that service as a Weld County Commissioner representing District 2.

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