By Brenda Black
The marble floors and granite
colonnades, high domed ceilings and cavernous hallways showcased
mind-boggling and beautiful architecture as I strolled through the
square and round mazes of the Capitol building. They also provided
great amplification. A simple clickety-clack of an aide's stiletto
heels or the giggles of touring school children sounded like
fireworks and chaos when their echoes collided and bounced from one
hard surface to another.
Still, the din from daily traffic was
no match to the roar from the House floor. Debaters who took their
places near microphones competed with constant chatter from the
gallery. Hushed conversations escalated in volume as representatives
and constituents or fellow law-makers huddled together to attempt
intelligible conversations.
In the midst of all the mayhem,
somehow the work of law-making continues. And in the middle of that
business are men and women who perform one of two ways – honorably
or dishonorably. If the walls of Congress could talk, they'd tell the
battles of integrity versus immorality, principled decisions in
struggle with unethical behavior. It's the human condition and it
gets magnified in a magnificent place.
With every scheduled meeting, I felt
fairly confident discerning whether I was hearing truth or just
getting lip service. Having only met most of these legislators for
the first time, the impressions of others who knew them better proved
far more valuable in determining their credibility. When their own
constituents spoke highly about them, it proved the elected
representatives had earned their respect. Some were even applauded
for valiant efforts and their long-standing integrity.
Unfortunately a few law makers have a
different type of notoriety – a reputation for insincerity. A lack
of wisdom and inability to see beyond their own personal agendas has
those bad players better known for lying tongues, two-faced
performances and narrow-minded opinions.
Which would you trust? Which would
you rather be? Whether constituent or Congressman, receptionist or
Representative, lobbyist or legislator – honesty and integrity
matter.
Scripture speaks clearly about the
importance of honesty. “The Lord detests lying lips, but he
delights in men who are truthful.” (Proverbs 12:22) The Word of God
also declares the benefits of honorable living. “Whoever of you
loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from
evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:12-14)
Most of us would contend that it is
troubling to be on the receiving end of a liar's litany. But what of
the snare the liar lays for himself when he refuses to speak the
truth. “An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous
man escapes trouble.” (Prov. 12:13)
Throughout my day at the Capitol, I
heard of the work of honorable men and women. I learned about their
passion for justice or their willingness to go to battle for right
causes. I listened to colleagues drop their egos and applaud the
accomplishments of fellow legislators.
On the flip side, one man's name
repeatedly received negative reaction from every rank and file. He
had earned the reputation for saying one thing and doing another. He
lied, he broke trusts, he refused to listen. In short, the man was
despised and disrespected by many. His reputation for insincerity
didn't just bounce of the walls, it was proclaimed from the rooftops
of this noble building.
His lying lips had rendered only
bitterness when truth may have provided sweet bliss. “An honest
answer is like a kiss on the lips.” (Prov. 24:26)
I may not understand all the ins and
outs of passing a bill through Congress, but I learned this much from
my day at the Capitol, I'd rather walk blameless and seek the favor
of the Lord and the respect from others than to walk in such a way as
to leave a wake that causes others to despise and disrespect me. If
it matters in law, how much more in life?
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be
mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his
sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who
sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will
reap a harvest if we do not give up. ” Galatians 6:7-9
No comments:
Post a Comment