I'm The One!!!

In our sojourning along the virtual highway, let us keep perspective with humility of heart and soberness of mind as we discuss solutions to the problems that grieve us. Though we may be in the right in our stances or positions, let us humbly impart any wisdom we may have to share, recognizing our own weaknesses, frailties and faults. As we seek to guide others to the path of righteousness let us not forget our own sinfulness and need for salvation. Consider Jesus’ words in Luke 18:9-14 and take a moments to ponder the lyrics of a song that calls all who are self-aware to engage in reflection and self-examination. 

Jesus said, "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:  "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Now, think on the words of this old standard, with some contemporary application thrown in:

It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not my father, not my mother
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not my sister, not my brother
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer.

Not the people that are shoutin'
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not the members I've been doubting
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not the preacher, not the sinner
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not the deacon, not the teacher
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not the left ones, not the right ones
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Not the chill ones or uptight ones
But it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer!

Hear our prayer, oh Lord! 
Give us the eyes to see
What you are doing for us, 
And the ears to hear 
What You are saying to us!  
Amen!

Handling the Truth

“All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us…they can’t get away this time” General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, USMC.  This singular quote shows two critical elements of great leadership and problem solving:  The ability to accurately and realistically assess a problematic situation and still manage to infuse a sense of hope and determination in solving and overcoming the quandary.  It appears that on multiple levels, contemporary US culture is lacking in either its ability or its resolve to do either.  We have created a culture that is not willing to deal with reality but instead, restricts information so that situation either seems more stable than it is, or else seems to present a problem that is so bleak, it seems unsolvable.  All the while, we castigate those who attempt to address reality and we criticize those who dare to attempt to present creative solutions.     

Chesty Puller’s quote shows us the wisdom of presenting reality for what it is, while demonstrating the will that is necessary to overcome life’s most severe conundrums.  Societies do not generally welcome personalities like General Puller’s.  We proclaim that we want the truth, while demonstrating an unbreakable unwillingness to handle it.  We swear that we earnestly desire solutions while vilifying those who present them to us.  Every facet of US society is immersed in this struggle – education, ministry, the military, healthcare are a few examples, but no area of society is untouched by the malaise.  The destruction we continue to see in our nation including mass murder, but also extending to the unrelenting ravages of urban violence, reflect s our hesitancy in activating a Pullerian form of leadership and our tendency to embrace a politicized, ineffective style of management that seeks to preserve systems rather than serve people.

If we are to have any chance of effectively dealing with the modern day plagues that besiege us, we must develop a willingness to receive unvarnished, unpoliticized truth whenever it is set before us.  Once the truth is understood and embraced, we must have an equal willingness to do difficult work, elevating leaders who will not cower in the face of daunting challenges, but who will instead welcome trials and  lead the charge to take on difficult issues with skill, energy and undying hope.  The tide of despair can be turned, but only if we face that facts and work towards solutions, and only if we don’t wait until it’s too late.