THE LAST RIVER MILE

This post may sound as if it is aimed at one person in particular. It is not. My concern is with all of us, and with an alarming cultural comfort we seem to have with verbal bullying. Name-calling is not an indicator or strong leadership. Negative labeling, put-downs, and demeaning words of all kinds happen at all levels of leadership now: nationally, regionally, locally, and personally. It happens in our nation’s capital, in our state governments, in our civic groups, in our school boards, and everywhere we expect people to exercise effective and responsible leadership. I have certainly been guilty of it myself. Behavior is being modeled which we would not tolerate in our elementary aged children.

I can have the “correct” political viewpoint. I can have the “right” theology or philosophy. I can be someone who accomplishes great things by whatever form of measurement. I can be someone who has recognized authority and power, by whatever means. But if I cannot treat my fellow human beings, including my opponents, with decency and respect, then none of those things matter. And those presumptions of “success” or power don’t give me the green light to stoop to name-calling. For me to reduce or dismiss my opponents by degrading them, insulting them, or dehumanizing them does nothing more than erode my own credibility, strength of character, and effectiveness. Insults are the last resort of a person who is insecure in their own position and/or identity.

For followers of Jesus, we need to remember that EVERY human being is made in the image of God. Ultimately, to insult another person is to insult God, however else we might try to spin it to help us sleep at night.

I’ll see you around the next bend in the river.