Thirty Years On
theophilus January 18th, 2009
I envision thirty years from now that I’m taking my grandson golfing. Over a putt, I’m telling him about great men; those who rose above their limitations and fears; those who were equal to the demands of their times; those who were forthright, courageous, honest, strong.
I will tell my grandson that no matter what is happening around him, he must rise and be the man that God expects him to be.
And I know that I will tell him of a man who was called upon in a time of great trial for our nation; when we were viciously attacked with a promise of worst attacks to come.
This man took on the challenge and did so with a fervent belief that God put him in this place, at this time, to do His will. He awoke each morning and asked God what he needed to do to protect the hundreds of millions of people put in his care. He went to bed every night and said a prayer of thanksgiving that, for the most part, these people entrusted to him were safe and secure.
This man looked at the threats throughout the world and did his best to address each one of them; with a focus on not only protecting his own people but on bringing liberty, peace and security to those around the world.
This man’s goal was to bring to the world the peace and joy promised us throughout Scriptures.
And, yet, this man was viciously attacked personally and done so from all segments. He was maligned and distorted by Americans on foreign soil, foreigners on American soil, those who were supposed to be his supporters, and those who had a stake in a political agenda to bring him down and vilify him as the worst of mankind.
And he persevered through it all. He was unpopular, mischaracterized, mocked, belittled and demeaned. He made a great many mistakes. But he kept going; trying to do what was best for the people he was called to serve; trying to remind himself that Christ was handed worst treatment.
I hope to teach my grandson that he needs to stand up for what he believes; no matter the cost. That sometimes doing God’s will isn’t easy and that one’s reputation may be shredded in the process. That being a real man of Christ entails sacrifice and faith; no matter the opposition arrayed against him.
I trust that I will teach him of a certain man, but do we realize that this man has existed in our time?
I fear that we do not.
Thank you, President Bush. Well done, God’s good and faithful servant.
