We hear a lot about the "tone at the top" these days. In discussions of business, politics or church, the character of leaders is often made public in the media. What we've come to understand is that not all leaders do as they say. Some CEOs promote a code of conduct but backdate documents to their advantage. Most political leaders criticize the behavior of other politicians and then cover up or justify their own similar behavior. Some church pastors criticize other pastors and, yet, live with sin in their own lives.
Despite ethical codes of conduct and Biblical standards of behavior, we like to do what we like to do! Oops! I included you and I with the visible ones. It's time to be honest. I know the right things to do. Sometimes, I just don't want to do them! I don't want you to know that, however, because I think I could lose the high regard I believe you have for me! If I can tell everyone what is wrong with the world then maybe I can change it, myself excluded of course. Hopefully, I will be remembered in history as a person that did good, even though I wasn't! Silly, isn't it?
Hypocritical behavior only produces temporary change. Rules made by people for the purpose of controlling or manipulating others have no lasting effects. Only the demonstration of genuine, good character can have leave a positive legacy for others. In the movie Gladiator, General Maximus said it clearly. He stirred his men to demonstrate "strength and honor" by this phrase, "What you do here today will echo throughout eternity." Then, he did what he said!
Showing posts with label Doing the Right Thing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doing the Right Thing. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Has Right Become Wrong?
You've undoubtedly seen, heard or read the media feeding frenzy over the resignation of Gov. Sarah Palin. An NBC interviewer last evening used her pre-designed questions, facial expressions and demeanor to paint the governor as a quitter at the end of her political career. Finally, Gov. Palin said, "You're not listening to me," as she explained again her reasons for leaving office. At the top of the list was her desire not to burden the people of the State of Alaska with the time and cost of defending herself against unfounded, outrageous allegations. She explained she could not do her job effectively and deal with the piranha attacks at the same time. Putting aside her future possibilities she has made a decision to do the right thing, even to her own hurt!
Contrast this with President Obama who, during his first term in the Senate, spent most of his time campaigning for president instead of fulfilling his sworn duties of office. I don't remember him offering to reimburse you and I for the amount of the salary he received while pursuing his presidential aspirations. Was there a media outcry over this misuse of public funds? Of course not! When an unethical practice has become the norm, no one notices. When someone does the right thing, it is an abomination!
Proverbs 14:12: "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." So, what do you think? Has right become wrong?
Contrast this with President Obama who, during his first term in the Senate, spent most of his time campaigning for president instead of fulfilling his sworn duties of office. I don't remember him offering to reimburse you and I for the amount of the salary he received while pursuing his presidential aspirations. Was there a media outcry over this misuse of public funds? Of course not! When an unethical practice has become the norm, no one notices. When someone does the right thing, it is an abomination!
Proverbs 14:12: "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." So, what do you think? Has right become wrong?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Doing the Right Thing is Always a Choice!
I volunteered for several years to counsel inmates in a Colorado prison. Every inmate was incarcerated because of bad choices. Most didn't learn from their mistakes and soon returned after their release. Many had knowledge of right and wrong but, for a myriad of reasons, chose to ignore the wisdom the consequences of their mistakes afforded.
Most of these prisoners had justified their crimes in their minds. They blamed others for their wrong and minimized their responsibilities for doing the right thing (some call this the victim mentality). The truth is they ignored that still small voice some call our conscience. In fact, after living a life of wrong choices most of their consciences had been dulled or even had become nonexistent.
In Proverbs, chapter 1, verses 20-33, the consequences of wrong choices become clear. Every human being is created with an internal sense of right and wrong; we can call it Wisdom. Whether or not a person believes in God is not the point. Deciding to break our pattern of wrong decisions is. When this happens we begin to trust the Wisdom within and we can chose the right thing!
Most of these prisoners had justified their crimes in their minds. They blamed others for their wrong and minimized their responsibilities for doing the right thing (some call this the victim mentality). The truth is they ignored that still small voice some call our conscience. In fact, after living a life of wrong choices most of their consciences had been dulled or even had become nonexistent.
In Proverbs, chapter 1, verses 20-33, the consequences of wrong choices become clear. Every human being is created with an internal sense of right and wrong; we can call it Wisdom. Whether or not a person believes in God is not the point. Deciding to break our pattern of wrong decisions is. When this happens we begin to trust the Wisdom within and we can chose the right thing!
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