Nena Arias | February 28, 2022
“Desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.”
(1 Timothy 1:7)
The more we see the affairs of our nation unfold, the more disheartened we become as we see the lack of good qualities in our leaders, for the most part. Even basic qualities like common sense seem to have been thrown out the window and we hear such nonsense, as well as dangerous decisions coming out of the mouth of our leaders. The few who do make sense and offer good solutions and resolutions don’t seem to get the traction that they should. This clearly reflects that the public is also nonsensical in their thinking and values. So, it seems that the saying applies when it is said that “government reflects its people.”
Of the 37 indications of civilizations headed for a fall, one of those indications is when poorly formed and poorly educated members of society take leadership positions in government.
In our distant past, here in America, we looked for the most qualified people to lead us in government at all levels, especially at the higher levels of government. By qualified I mean first of all they had at the very least a good name, a good reputation, they were people of faith in the God of the Bible. There is no greater book to learn from about loving, respecting God, and learning about good leadership skills like the Bible.
This is what gave the leaders in our history character traits like honesty and integrity among a myriad of virtues to live by, but also, they had statesmanship qualities. A statesman has experience, is respected and truly patriotic. It is a person whose wisdom and integrity have won them great respect. They are experienced in the art of government or versed in the administration of government affairs. They exhibit great wisdom and ability to direct their own lives, their family and the affairs of government and important public issues.
We have the example of these type of noble individuals in our country’s history, but it is sad that we can only refer to them in past tense. Please don’t misunderstand me. There are leaders in government with statesmanship qualities, but they are not the majority like they used to be where they could find echo among their colleagues to make the difference and best decisions for our country.
The truth of the matter is that the government of a nation reflects its people. It is a good gauge to know where the people are in their values and priorities. So, we are all responsible for the declining condition of our beloved country at present. The art of U.S. governance has regressed instead of progressed.
It’s not that people in government haven’t made mistakes or bad things in the past, it is part of human nature to fail, but at least most of them were embarrassed and ashamed of their mistakes and apologized and made restitution or just stepped down. We don’t see that today; they simply ignore their mistakes and are brazen about their wrongdoing and the worst part is that they are not held accountable either by the proper authorities and many times by the voters who keep voting those bad characters back into office. They simply ignore their behavior and accept them again and again. Ignoring mistakes and pretending there is no responsibility or accountability there reflects people’s attitudes in their own lives, in their own personal governance or lack thereof.
It is a huge responsibility to place yourself in leadership if you don’t plan on having higher standards for yourself. You bring on greater responsibility before God and others. The way we are being overrun by inept leadership is unconscionable and we are self-destructing.
We must go back to having and demanding high standards of those of us who pursue leadership. Not because they are better than anyone else or more capable, but because others are looking at them to set an example and in the case of government to serve well.
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”
~ Abraham Lincoln ~
We desperately need once again men and women of high caliber in exemplary leadership. Let us not faulter but determine to succeed in defending the heritage Almighty God gave to us. We will do so in the name that is above all names and for the glory of our wonderful redeemer—Jesus Christ, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords.