Why Get Involved?

Today I hear so many people say how rotten politics are.  Well is was not that many years ago (OK it was 36 years ago) that I remember our local politics where is was such a 'good ole' boy' network that many honest people were thrown under the bus.

Such was the case in our hometown.  I just got out of college and was living in my hometown.  Soon it was obvious that our local mayor and police chief were prime in suspicious activities.   So I was talking to a Councilman and complaining.  His words hit me right between the eyes.  "If you are going to just complain, go someplace else.  Otherwise if you are  going to complain here, try and do something about it."

I thought about it and said, "I need to try and quit complaining."  Even though I was quite young at the time, I set out to run for the office of Mayor.  That November we won all precincts and now I could try and shape a city in which people could be proud.

One of the distractions in the campaign was from Christians who said that we should NOT be be involved in politics.  My response was either we strive to turn the world (or our city) to the Lord and His guiding principles or we just find a camp and be a follower of Jim Jones of the People's Temple. I think I even used the ostrich with his head in the ground a few times.   I did not win too many friends with those comments but set out to bring organization and fairness to every aspect of the offices in the city. 

Even though at that time I was the youngest Mayor in the State of Ohio, (which some people said was a problem) I spent many waking hours focusing on improving lives in the area I could affect.  What about you?  No matter what your age, get involved in either standing up for what you know is right or getting in there to change what you can. 

What do you want to leave your children, grandchildren, and their friends in the community?  Your stuff may be gone but  it will be in the principles that are set from God's word that will last.  Shouldn't you consider getting involved?  Your community and your country is at stake.

Looking at Greatness

Psalms 48:1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our Lord, in the mountain of His holiness.

While flying into Chicago one night, our plane circled the downtown area on the approach to the airport. As we looked out the window everyone marveled at the lighted skyline. The Sears and Hancock towers loomed high above all the other buildings with their fine architecture and accented lighting. With our eyes focused on the splendor of light, someone commented as to how could man have conceived and built such great structures.

Reading Psalms 48 brought the greatness of “things” into a better perspective. We all look at new innovations in products, or look up to special people, as being great. But often we do not realize we are looking at “Greatness” everyday when, in fact, we really are.

When we see the brown grass and dead flowers in our yard and in the spring turning again into the beautiful colors or the caterpillar becoming a beautiful butterfly, we witness the “Greatness of God”. While looking at another sunrise or sunset, we see the “Greatness of God”.

You see, nature is one of God’s ways of showing His greatness and love to each one of us. Everywhere we look, there is evidence of our wonderful God and creator. The Lord is to be given the credit and praise, not man. The most spectacular way to see the greatness of God is in the compassion and love that comes from a relationship with His Son.

You can see that manifested today by just looking around. Look at people who are helping those in need. Or someone who is giving a listening ear to another’s problems. Then there are those single parents and other families that are working hard to make ends meet and still trying to put the Lord first in their household. They are truly proof of God’s grace and greatness.

As you look around today, be sure to praise the Lord for His greatness. By opening your eyes, you may, for the first time, see something special in the people you previously took for granted.

Maybe it’s because they understand the “Greatness of our God.”