1 Peter 2:13-17
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In recent days, two friends of mine who are in law enforcement have both announced that they are stepping aside. One is our current county sheriff, who says he will not seek another term. The other, who has been involved in law enforcement off and on for decades, announced that he would seek the office of sheriff…then announced that he was halting his campaign. Both cited the ugliness of politics…and the toll it took – or could take – on their families. To me, this is a real shame, because I know both of these men to be conscientious, caring, Christian men who take their job very seriously and truly care about the people with whom they are involved. I have to wonder who will actually seek this position…and what type of law enforcement we can expect in our county in the coming years.
Let’s be clear… I know that there are “bad apples” in every organization…including governmental offices and law enforcement. And I really had a little bit of a discussion with God about using this scripture passage today. I honestly didn’t want to tackle this topic, because I’ll admit…we don’t always agree with every elected official. There are those who are not happy with certain law enforcement officers, for one reason or another. Maybe there is “talk” in your community that this officer or that one has no tolerance for those who exceed the speed limit…or that he/she is “hard-nosed” when it comes to kids who break the law. Maybe you passionately disagree with the platform and actions of your local government officials…your legislators or governor – or even the President and his cabinet. Perhaps you have had an unpleasant personal encounter with one of these officials - or a representative of his/her office.
I encourage you to read today’s scripture passage again. Nowhere does it say that we must like those in office. But we are told to be good citizens, to obey the law…and in doing so – to avoid confrontation with law enforcement! So maybe we should worry more about not speeding…and less about the ticket-happy officer who might pull us over!
We are admonished to treat everyone with dignity and respect the government. And we are reminded that these people are God’s creations – just like we are! They are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. They have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews…and friends. They are human, and they experience the same daily events – and accompanying emotions – that you and I do. They have joys, sorrows, illnesses and injuries, bills to pay, and a myriad of responsibilities. So while you may not agree with all politicians, it does not please God when we verbally attack them or speak disrespectfully about them, call them names, and encourage their unkind treatment – or even make them the butt of our jokes.
We must keep these thoughts foremost in our minds and hearts. Law enforcement officers and elected leaders truly are no different than anyone else we encounter. We don’t have to agree with them…we don’t have to like them and make them our personal friends. But we must respect those in authority. We must behave in a way that honors God…and in doing so, respects the laws and those who make them. We must let God serve as the judge of all others…while we “keep our noses clean” and behave as true disciples of Christ.
And while we’re at it, I believe that God is calling on us to pray for these leaders. When the scriptures say “Love your spiritual family” and “respect God,” it seems to me that this would include asking God to guide these people in their positions of leadership and authority. I believe that we are called to show compassion and concern for them, just as we would to anyone else. I know this may be asking a lot. But if we want to truly love and serve God – and honor Him – we will make every effort to show respect and care for others…without exclusion.
Let’s examine our “citizenship”…and our attitudes and behaviors toward those who are in authority. Let’s ask God to give us a sense of respect, tolerance, and understanding for each of them…especially those who rub us the wrong way. Let’s live in a way that glorifies and pleases God…even if/when we don’t feel like it! Let’s exercise our freedom by serving God…and trust Him to handle the rest.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label citizenship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label citizenship. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 7, 2011
Psalm 103:17-22
The LORD is always kind to those who worship him, and he keeps his promises to their descendants who faithfully obey him. God has set up his kingdom in heaven, and he rules the whole creation. All of you mighty angels, who obey God's commands, come and praise your LORD! All of you thousands who serve and obey God, come and praise your LORD! All of God's creation and all that he rules, come and praise your LORD! With all my heart I praise the LORD!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A new “craze” has developed on Facebook, as people across the country are starting pages for their hometown… like “You know you’re from Heber Springs, Arkansas, when…” People post their memories, and others comment and add to them. So far, it’s been a lot of fun… and truly heartwarming. As a fifth-generation resident of this county, my “roots” run deep. I’ll admit, when someone speaks less than favorably about my home town… especially if something particularly critical or unkind is said… I bristle and get a little cranky!
I’m sure many could say the same thing about other “home towns,” but mine has served my family well. I feel a rich heritage here… my father-in-law and grandfather were both mayors of Heber Springs. My great-great-great-grandfather operated a general store near Wilburn well over 100 years ago… a great-grandfather was a barber in a downtown shop, and a second-great-uncle ran the local livery (all important businesses in their day!). My grandmother drove one of the three school buses in our district for about 12 years… before and after serving as a chair-side assistant to one of our town’s two or three dentists. I can’t begin to count how many people know my mother as “’Miss Arline,’ the woman who taught me piano, voice, and organ – or was my kindergarten teacher!”
More than this, I can scarcely go to Wal-Mart or a funeral in this town without seeing someone who was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, or mentor to me in some way. I grew up in a time when every adult nurtured all the town’s children, to some extent. And in that regard, countless people modeled for me a faithful worship of our Heavenly Father. I certainly didn’t realize this at the time… and maybe they didn’t, either. But God was at work, building a legacy in the children of my home town through the adults who resided here. And as many of us grew into faith-filled Christians, God’s kindnesses and promises continued to us… and hopefully beyond to those in our own paths.
I am thankful to have grown up in such a wonderful, nurturing community. My home town was far from perfect, but the love for one another – and the abiding faith in God and His promises – was constant in ways both obvious and subtle. People are nostalgic for their home town in cities of all sizes. And surely God has worked in major urban metropolises and the smallest “holes in the road.” But I am grateful He chose to plant me in this location… and I am humbled to think that I have an opportunity to continue a legacy here… both in the community, and in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Are you a good steward of all God has given you? Are you building a legacy for your descendants… one that shows respect for your community and God’s Kingdom? Are you one who gripes and complains… or someone who praises and elevates - both the people in your circle and your community at large? Are you serving God with faith, obedience, and praise? When people reminisce about your community in years to come, will they recall the people and places God used to bless and nurture them… and will you be among them? Will you have helped to continue a legacy of faith and obedience that resulted in fulfilled promises and kindness from the LORD?
Take time today to thank God for planting you where He did… for giving you the opportunity to serve Him wherever you are… and to add to a foundation of faith and kindness – blessings and promises… for generations to come. Commit to being the best citizen of God’s kingdom – and your local community – that you can possibly become. And in all things… with all your heart… come and praise your LORD!
©2011 Debbie Robus
The LORD is always kind to those who worship him, and he keeps his promises to their descendants who faithfully obey him. God has set up his kingdom in heaven, and he rules the whole creation. All of you mighty angels, who obey God's commands, come and praise your LORD! All of you thousands who serve and obey God, come and praise your LORD! All of God's creation and all that he rules, come and praise your LORD! With all my heart I praise the LORD!
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A new “craze” has developed on Facebook, as people across the country are starting pages for their hometown… like “You know you’re from Heber Springs, Arkansas, when…” People post their memories, and others comment and add to them. So far, it’s been a lot of fun… and truly heartwarming. As a fifth-generation resident of this county, my “roots” run deep. I’ll admit, when someone speaks less than favorably about my home town… especially if something particularly critical or unkind is said… I bristle and get a little cranky!
I’m sure many could say the same thing about other “home towns,” but mine has served my family well. I feel a rich heritage here… my father-in-law and grandfather were both mayors of Heber Springs. My great-great-great-grandfather operated a general store near Wilburn well over 100 years ago… a great-grandfather was a barber in a downtown shop, and a second-great-uncle ran the local livery (all important businesses in their day!). My grandmother drove one of the three school buses in our district for about 12 years… before and after serving as a chair-side assistant to one of our town’s two or three dentists. I can’t begin to count how many people know my mother as “’Miss Arline,’ the woman who taught me piano, voice, and organ – or was my kindergarten teacher!”
More than this, I can scarcely go to Wal-Mart or a funeral in this town without seeing someone who was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, or mentor to me in some way. I grew up in a time when every adult nurtured all the town’s children, to some extent. And in that regard, countless people modeled for me a faithful worship of our Heavenly Father. I certainly didn’t realize this at the time… and maybe they didn’t, either. But God was at work, building a legacy in the children of my home town through the adults who resided here. And as many of us grew into faith-filled Christians, God’s kindnesses and promises continued to us… and hopefully beyond to those in our own paths.
I am thankful to have grown up in such a wonderful, nurturing community. My home town was far from perfect, but the love for one another – and the abiding faith in God and His promises – was constant in ways both obvious and subtle. People are nostalgic for their home town in cities of all sizes. And surely God has worked in major urban metropolises and the smallest “holes in the road.” But I am grateful He chose to plant me in this location… and I am humbled to think that I have an opportunity to continue a legacy here… both in the community, and in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Are you a good steward of all God has given you? Are you building a legacy for your descendants… one that shows respect for your community and God’s Kingdom? Are you one who gripes and complains… or someone who praises and elevates - both the people in your circle and your community at large? Are you serving God with faith, obedience, and praise? When people reminisce about your community in years to come, will they recall the people and places God used to bless and nurture them… and will you be among them? Will you have helped to continue a legacy of faith and obedience that resulted in fulfilled promises and kindness from the LORD?
Take time today to thank God for planting you where He did… for giving you the opportunity to serve Him wherever you are… and to add to a foundation of faith and kindness – blessings and promises… for generations to come. Commit to being the best citizen of God’s kingdom – and your local community – that you can possibly become. And in all things… with all your heart… come and praise your LORD!
©2011 Debbie Robus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)