There are not a lot of things that cause me to be enraged.
Disrespect is one of them.
As is the season, its time in my area for municipal elections.
And I would say that several of the almost 30 candidates running here are not causing negative waves. They are standing on their platforms, and letting the voters judge them on their merits.
But with any crowd, there are always a few who make the rest look back, and frustrate those who run with integrity and respect.
Hey, I get it that we are all entitled to our opinions. I don’t like dogs stopping and pooping on my lawn, and their owners not picking up after their pet does their business.
I get that none of us are perfect. We all have flaws and weaknesses.
I get upset when instead of telling me what they have to offer, a candidate publicly uses their platform to bad mouth an opponent.
That reveals more to me about the character of the speaker than the opponent’s.
The Bible talks about this, in no small detail.
Its really judgment.
And pointing out the speck in someone else’s eye instead of taking the time to see the log in our own.
Its also a sign of insecurity.
If you can’t control yourself before you get into a position of authority, how can the voters trust you will once you have the power to make decisions at your fingertips?
As followers of Jesus, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. By publicly speaking badly about your neighbor, you not only disrespect them, you show your lack of compassion and love.
Your weakness comes to the forefront, becoming more obvious than the complaint you have, when it is offered without respect.
Our local government, like yours, has a group of individuals running for council: 28 for 8 spots.
With odds like that, your campaign needs to be based on your ‘can do’s ‘, not your ‘look at their flaw(s)’.
When we fail to honor those around us, we essentially let the enemy run havoc in our neighborhood.
I am tired of unnecessary drama, local or otherwise. We all know that life has enough ups & downs without adding anything into the pile.
Take the time to get to know those running for office in your community.
Better yet, once you know what they stand for, line it up against the Word.
If it isn’t walking with the Word, that candidate likely isn’t either.
May the kindness God has showered on His children overflow onto those who serve in our communities. That His Words would soak deep into our hearts and honor & respect be the visible fruit to the world watching us.
Let’s avoid pointing fingers at others, and ask God to help us root out the log jams we may have, so we can become free and a blessing wherever we go.
No matter the quality of your local candidate, God may have a different plan for some of those running. May God lead us to select the best person(s) for the positions in our home towns, the one (s) whose character reminds us of Jesus.
Who gave His all to serve those He came to bless.
KARLA LEES 