BETWEEN THE LINES: Time to repent and pray for the country
March 9 is Ash Wednesday, an important date in the Christian calendar. It marks the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection, which is 40 days (not counting the Sabbaths) before Christ’s resurrection.
The 40 days is an allusion to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert during his temptation by the devil before his public ministry.
For most of the years I have been a columnist for The Tribune, I have written under the heading "Between the Lines," which I intended as a reference to my Judeo-Christian worldview. I am not ashamed to be called a Christian, but I am worried my actions will be judged accordingly. That I am a sinner should not be a critique of Christianity.
I always have refrained from using the fish symbol on the back of my car because I did not want my driving to be associated with Christianity in any fashion. Needless to say, my traffic record is not spotless, especially since I am on a first-name basis with my defensive driving instructor.
I always have felt the non-believing world is under the impression Christians think they are better than others. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are doomed to eternal damnation just as other sinners, except our sins have been paid for by the death and resurrection of our Lord. In so doing, he paved the way for our redemption and became our mediator.
That point was driven home to me again as I taught Sunday school this week. The lesson came from Paul’s first letter to Timothy, the first six verses of the second chapter. However, it is the second verse that caught my attention.
Paul writes to Timothy (a new pastor) to remind his congregation to pray not only for the church’s leaders, but for the government as well.
I took that to mean that I should pray for our leaders whether or not I voted for them. Who says God does not have a sense of humor? Being a Christian often is a humbling experience. We are required to do things that go against our natural bent, like pray for our enemies and bless those who curse us.
In 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War, the Young Bloods had a huge hit with "Love One Another." Its lyrics were a bit altruistic when the group sang, “Come on people, now smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now.”
That being said, we are all in this together. The future of America hangs in the balance.
The apostle Paul gives us the answer to our dilemma in his writings and his life. Compassionate leadership is acting in the interest of others, whether working with employees or simply residents of this great country. Effective leadership is not self-serving. Paul learned his lessons from the life of Jesus Christ who came to serve, not be served.
As we approach Easter may we be on our knees in earnest prayer for our leaders, who will put our country’s interest ahead of their own.
Laughlin is a Christian Libertarian. He is an economist, teacher, father, husband and most recently a grandfather. He has written a weekly column for The Tribune for 12 years. He and his wife Gina reside in Meadowlakes. To contact him, e-mail ablaughlin@nctv.com. He is an independent columnist, not a staff member, and his views do not necessarily reflect those of The Tribune or its parent company.