Dear
Friends,
I
hadn't planned to watch the inauguration of President Trump, not because I
wasn't interested, but because I had a number of things I had to do.
However,
as I momentarily clicked on to watch a part of the unfolding event, I
immediately became transfixed by what l witnessed, and for the next four hours
I was glued to the screen.
Whether
or not you were a supporter of President Trump, the events of the celebration
were inspiring. To watch the peaceful transition of power was impressive.
While
I am normally not one for a lot of pomp and circumstance, somehow
this event captured my attention.
What
captured my attention the most was the attempt by so many of the participants
to show charity and respect for one another. There was an outward display of
unity among participants, and while I know most cynics would say it won't
last, it was refreshing to capture a glimpse of what could be if people were
willing to show grace to one another and overlook their differences and work
toward achieving some common ground.
I am
an optimist, and I believe people can change, and my hope is that beginning
with the new administration we will see a thawing of the rancor that has been
exhibited on both sides of the political aisles.
What
if our elected officials would become “high road leaders” and lead and act in
ways that reflected something different than the championing of their own
self-interests and what if they were willing to work with others in achieving
something for the overall common good of everyone?
What
if both sides of the aisles extended grace to one another, and better yet, what
if we the people extended grace to one another and showed respect to
those who hold differing views from ours?
What
if we became salt and light and intentionally tried to connect with others who
differ politically from us? How refreshing that would be.
As Christians,
you and I ought to be making people hungry for God and not angry with us. If
people don’t like the God we follow, maybe it is because they don’t like us.
Maybe
it would be well for us to examine ourselves to determine whether our attitudes
and actions are attractive and winsome to those we desire to come to know
Christ.
Salt
makes things better and light makes things brighter
If I
am salt and light, and I act like Jesus, just maybe people will like the Jesus
I follow and will also want to follow Him.
For
many years there has been a custom for the outgoing President to leave a
personal handwritten note for his successor in the desk drawer in the Oval
office.
I
appreciated the note outgoing President George Bush left on January 20, 2009
for Barack Obama.
He
writes,
"Dear
Barack,
Congratulations
on becoming our president. You have just begun a fantastic chapter in your
life. Very few have had the honor of knowing the responsibility you now feel.
Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenge you will face.
There
will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your friends will disappoint
you. But you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you,
and a country that is praying for you, including me. No matter what comes, you
will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead.
God
bless you.
Sincerely,
George
W Bush"
President
Bush was a high road leader. I hope you will too.
Yours
in faith and friendship,
Tom
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