Monday 20 July 2015

Psalm: Psalm 46

Background

Paul has left Titus in Crete to be a bishop or overseer of thecommunity there. It is clear that Paul considered them a difficultpeople to lead, and believed that in order to lead that personneeds to be of exemplary character. Leading by example; giving nogrounds for criticism.

When we look that those who lead whether in church, business orpolitical life, we expect an integrity of character. Often we mayfeel that the media and those in political opposition do their bestto dig up scandal or (let's say) 'inconsistency' in order todiscredit those they would seek to remove. The cry of hypocrisy isnot far from the critics' lips when people do not seem to live asthey speak, and demands for resignation often follow.

We may say, of course, that we are all flawed in some respects -we are deeply human - and that God loves us first before we deserveit as gift and grace (Titus3:4-7), but transparency and a fundamental honesty of who weare is still important to find.

Our understanding in these days of safeguarding, and what itmeans for people to put their trust in another who leads in orderto be vulnerable but also safe, calls for some deep soul searchingin our communities. For those who lead these days, rather thanclaiming authority over others there is a need for them to be giventheir authority and respect by those whom they serve in order tofind for themselves that integrity we all long for.

To Ponder

• When you encounter someone who would speak for God or apolitician who would ask us to vote for them, I wonder what mightyour first response be - to 'Google' them or to question them orperhaps to look for what others might say of them. Who do webelieve and why?

• To whom do we give the precious gift of authority over us?