Martin Wickens

One of the political campaigners has used the slogan, “Build Back Better”.

It just hit me, though, that instead of Build Back Better, we should aim to BE BETTER.

Too often we excuse our behavior because of what someone else did. We excuse our behavior because its not as bad as someone else’s. We excuse our behavior because the times and circumstances, we claim, demand it.

But with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Christians should BE BETTER than that.

Many times as a youth I’d hear the challenge to be a thermostat rather than a thermometer. Instead of letting the room set the temperature of our thoughts, words, and actions, we determine what are thoughts, words, and actions will be.

When others behave badly, BE BETTER. When others behave badly, don’t make excuses for them. Expect them to BE BETTER. Call them out and raise the standard.

It occurs to me, that many of us expect more of our children than we do of our politicians. We tolerate worse behave of our politicians and make excuses for them. Yet, if our children behaved in the same way, we’d discipline them and teach them to BE BETTER.

The political arena is rarely simple. Much is on the line to be won or lost. I understand the myriad of arguments on both sides.

But “we the people” need to BE BETTER.

Not just “we the people” of the USA, but there is a higher calling for we the people of God. We’ve been called to walk worthy of Jesus Christ.

Jesus put it this way,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5