Respecting Authority
My wife Joan has to stretch to be 5 feet tall. So what does that have to do with respecting authority? As a gifted elementary school teacher she was leading her 3rd grade class back to the classroom after lunch and recess. It wasn’t going well. The students pushed and shoved, made wise cracks as well as other mischievous things 3rd graders do.
Joan’s “come to Jesus” talk ended with, we are going to rest our heads on our desks and be quiet for 10 minutes as we settle down. Matt raised his hand to speak. Mrs. Rhoden you are really tall for a short person. I call that a form of respect for authority. My grandmother wasn’t a 3rd grade teacher but her “come to Jesus” talks about respect for authority were always grounded in God’s Ten Commandments. She made it clear they were not suggestions but requirements. Rather simple yet profound.
Can you imagine a world where everyone obeys those 10 rules which includes things like don’t steal or lie, honor your father and mother, don’t murder, put God first in everything.
Authority is a tricky complex subject with many layers. How do we get our brain and emotions to reconsider how we think and feel about authority given all that we hear and see in these turbulent times.
We begin by recognizing that God is the creator of authority. The Apostle Paul clearly states, “there is no authority except that which God has established” (Rom 13:1). The Apostle Peter adds his voice of agreement, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men” (1 Peter 2:13).
Then we acknowledge that the human application of authority is imperfect. Human flaws do not give me a right to disrespect the idea of authority. I can respond with peaceful words and actions, even pray for those who may abuse authority.
Finally, model obeying the laws that govern our society. That’s how we maintain order and civility. Can you still hear that young voice out of the back seat? Mom or dad you just rolled through a STOP sign. Small offense I know but you get the point.
It only takes a spark to get a fire going is more than a line from a song.
Your attitude and actions may be the spark that lites the fire of respect for authority in your corner of the planet. Someone may even say you are really tall for a short person.
And that’s Hope on the Rise for now!
H. Robert Rhoden
