Servants and Patrons IX

Put not your trust in rulers . . . 

 - From Psalm 146

Why do people put their trust in "rulers"? In fact, why do they make their happiness and sense of purpose, so dependent on someone else, or on circumstances they cannot control?

I've had almost ten years now, of Facebook. And if there is one theme that defines the first decade of Social Media, it's that people are way to concerned about who wins elections. In a way, elections have all the importance of Sunday football. We take it way too seriously, and get our emotions too wrapped up in it.

You really should not care who is in charge. The psalmist says not to put any trust in those that are in charge.

Because . . . they're not the ones doing anything of real value.

The servants around you, helping others, looking for real needs and doing something about it - they are the ones that matter.

What if we cared about supporting people in our midst, that are actually doing something . . . half as much as we cared about what's going on in Washington, or whether or not the President's complexion resembled a snack food?

Imagine one of your friends - - - unbeknownst to you or really, anybody - this friend serves the needy in the inner city, one day a week, for no pay. Let's say that person is getting discouraged because she has bills to pay and can no longer afford to take a day off, to serve others.

Isn't that more important than the President's birth certificate?

Here's what we don't need - more bumper stickers. More angry crowds. More legislation. More lawsuits. More investigations. More demonstrations. More professional athletes on magazine covers.

Here's what we do need - More awareness of the real needs around us. More people doing something about it. More people supporting them that are doing something about it.

Get perspective.

Be a servant. Or if you can't, or won't. Then support a servant.

Please.