1 Kings 2:2
“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, show yourself a man…
One was an old man, who could smell the stench of death, the other a young prince with the weight of a nation about to be placed on his shoulders. His father, his king had a lot to tell him. I remember recently reading that verse and thinking, “This is what someone means when they say, ‘Chin up’.” You know, show yourself a man.
So what makes one a man? How can I be strong? The next part of his father’s advice gives us an idea.
…and observe what the LORD your God requires.
This was an instruction to be firm in the ways of the Lord. Any individual who is strong is centred firmly on principles that they would never compromise. This, in no way, means that we should not listen or seek consensus during disagreements. It simply means we should have a solid foundation that we can build on and which prevents us from being swayed by every passing wave.
We get easily swayed especially when we seek to fit in or make everyone happy. Even when we have the best of intentions it’s often impossible to satisfy everyone’s needs.
In the documentary, America’s Great Divide, interviewee after interviewee spoke of how eloquent he was, how he ran on a promise of hope, where there was no blue America, no red America, just the United States of America. Here was a young man, unknown to many speaking of a united country not divided by party affiliation.
The young man was Barak Obama. Americans heard him, believed this promise of hope making him the first African American president in United States history. Soon he would realise that it was not easy to make everyone happy. Imagine being used to white men, slightly older in age, in charge, then now changing to a young, black man, scary right? Well to some it was. What about feeling left out, excluded for years then having a man that looks like you at the highest office in the land, hopeful right? To some, this was a turning point in history.
Early in his first term he realised he had a tough road ahead.
In a place where you would normally feel safe, where you look forward to going after a long day at work, to most this place is home. This wasn’t the case for Henry Louis Gates, who was arrested for breaking and entry in his own house.
This brought about a great debate about race, considering Henry, a professor at Harvard University, was black American and the police officer was Caucasian. Obama described the police as acting ‘stupidly’. I think most of us would agree, but this brought more controversy. Obama had to apologize.
From this point on Barack Obama understood that he would not have the option of speaking openly about race lest the country burns, or would he? Well, this had the effect of making him look soft among a race that he held dear to his heart, and be an easy target to a group he was trying to win over; damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Gradually as we get older we learn that we can’t be everybody’s cup of tea and even remember the times we messed up trying to be someone else’s idea of what we should be.
Wake some in their sleep and ask them who they are, and they confidently quote this verse, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Others will describe themselves with their profession or political leaning, so who are you? What roots have pierced the ground holding you firmly when the winds of turmoil come? May we realize our identity, be strong and show ourselves ready for what lies ahead.
This is a public announcement.
“Policymakers in an epidemic should prefer to be the ones blamed for over-reacting. Those under-reacting might not be around in order to be blamed.” Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
Let’s take the necessary precautions, and follow the instructions we’ve received from health professionals and our leaders. All will be well. Shalom.
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