It's All About Me...

A number of days have passed since I learned about Senator Arlen Specter's decision to switch party affiliations and the anger his decision created has subsided. I wanted to write something earlier, but I was having difficulty understanding why his betrayal of the Republican Party and those which voted him into office would bother me the way it has. It's not like this is the first time a politician has left his party and/or his people, so I was not sure why I felt the way I did.

Okay, anger is a bit much, it was more like irritation, frustration and/or disappointment.

Thinking about this over the last few days I kept getting the image of a person that commits adultery. It seems like a stretch, but hang in there. This man ran for office as a Republican and now, in midstream, has switched to the Democratic Party. This could give the illusion that he was elected on false pretenses. I have heard the opinion that he was voting Democratic anyway so no big deal and I might agree, but that was not the reason for his changing suits. He changed parties so he could win re-election. This only days after stating that he would not be leaving the Republican Party. One could conclude that his actions were based on selfishness and the number one tell-tale sign of selfishness is lying...

This is where I have a problem with what he did.

He was elected to serve those which voted for him and the last time I checked there is no place for selfishness in serving. Yet, he put his own interests above the interests of the people which put him in this honorable position. He willingly entered into a relationship with his constituents and then breaks their trust to satisfy his own personal agenda. This is where, I believe, he is no different than an adulterer.

Confession Time: I, at one time, was given to acts of selfishness...

However, as I grow older (and I hope wiser), I have come to believe that selfishness should be eliminated from my life. I exert lots of effort to remove "me" from any situation which I find myself involved, be it home, work or social gatherings. In fact, with "me" removed I find more joy and peace in every place I go. Why have I come to the decision to remove selfishness from my life? I'm glad you asked...

Let me give you two examples...

1. Isaiah 14:12-14, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."

2. John 4:34 "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." John 5:30 "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." Luke 22:42 "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

I have made the decision to do my best to resemble the one who came to serve and not the one who came to rule. I understand there are those that choose not to believe as I do. Therefore, I offer you two other examples.



You can be like Senator Arlen Specter or you can be like...



ME!!!