It’s easy to be critical of people in positions of responsibility.
They don’t do it the way I want them to do it. They made a big mistake. They didn’t listen to the suggestion I made and look at them now. They think they’re better than me and don’t look at me. They want to tell me what to do and they can’t even look after themselves. They’re all hypocrites. They’re incompetent. They’re greedy and selfish. They all appear dodgy and never tell the truth.
Very easy and it’s a team sport because no sooner will you highlight something than another will jump on that and make another reason why those in position of responsibility are hopeless.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
I know. I know. People take this part of scripture to support their preferred political brand when they’re in power. This section, though, is about a relationship with God about all people and about those in positions of responsibility. First it’s about our relationship with God. It’s about a relationship where we acknowledge God as the one who rules over all. And as a result we can put this variety of types of communication to God to good use in looking out for others around us. We do that so we can have the environment we want to live in to live the kind of lives we know would be pleasing to God.
If our hearts and minds are taken up in communicating to God about others pleading, interceding, requesting on their behalf, it would be two-faced to then get on with being negatively critical about them. It’s not about liking people. You’re free to disagree with their political preferences and flavours. But there’s something more important than that. There’s a peace to be experienced that you want people to enjoy – that you want to enjoy. You want all people to enjoy it. So those areas of disagreement and distaste should not dissuade from the focus on seeing them as people in need of what God can give them and what God gives us.
We don’t overlook corruption. We don’t turn a blind eye to unrighteousness. We don’t be quiet if that which is beautiful to God is desecrated. We do something about it … without needing to get into being hyper-critical and abusive to those in positions of responsibility. We do what’s right in the hope that all those we pray for will experience and engage with the glorious God of the universe.
When that is the focus, it’s very difficult and undesirable to be critical of people in positions of responsibility.
(Photo by Samuel Martins on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 