It's been a while since I've posted anything. Life has changed 180 degrees. It's amazing how much we as humans can withstand. As I've been dealing with personal struggles, I've also begun to see a horrible trend in the United States.

There is a lack of respect for authority.

**"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

Let's look at public officials. From President Washington to President Trump we see the same thing. There are naysayers and there are devoted fans. Whether we are for or against, the respect given the office should still be there. There are ways to get your point made without publishing only bad press. Respect should be given THE OFFICE if you can't respect the man or woman.  

Law enforcement is particularly under siege. It's a sign of the times though. Each generation has lost a little of the awe of authority. Now we have laws that are enforced that require lawbreakers to have more rights than the ones who hold firm to the law. We see the lack of seriousness in taking another person's life. There's no accountability for the one who abides by the law or the lawbreaker. Every one points fingers at any and everyone but themselves.  We see the lack of respect for life in general. There is a moment in history that defines this. When Cain killed his brother Abel, because Abel's gift to God was honored more than his own. Cain became the law in his own eyes. This is what we see in today's justice system.

We see people believing they are above the enforcement of rules and regulations and make their own as they see fit. If law enforcement disagrees, then kill them. And the one who kills never gives thought that they took the last breath of life from someone's family member, friend, confidant AND mentor. 

To even further simplify this, I see people disobeying rules and regulations because they truly believe they are above reproach. The person who parks in the fire lane at a store and "runs" in for something. They truly feel they should not be cited for breaking the rules of authority. The persons who don't turn an assignment in on time yet expects the teacher to 'forgive' them because they are above the rules the teacher set before them.  The persons who are always late and expect others to abide by their lateness--after-all, they are above reproach. I could go on an on about the lack of respect for authority. Simply stated, laws were given for us to obey. The majority of these laws are there to protect us. Respect authority. 

Lastly, we see the lack of authority for our pastors. The majority of pastors have been called by God to assist us as we learn to trust God and not trust man. Conversely there are those who have called themselves into the roll of pastor. One must have great discernment to know the difference. It is so easy to get caught up in the feel good feeling of a great talker. 

There used to be a reverence toward "a man or woman of God" because of the calling. It is unfortunate that a few impostors have compromised the nature and reality of a true man or woman of God. 

I think the former sentence is the reason there is a lack of respect of those in authority. We as a people have grown accustomed to fake public officials, fake law enforcement and fake religious personnel for so long we are totally desensitized to the truth.

It is our responsibility to weigh the truth from a lie. It is our responsibility not to publicize a lie just because it lines up with our own credo. It is our responsibility to bring back the respectfulness of the position, by being a person of respect. We cannot wait for someone else. We need to begin today to bring back truth...justice...and love. (You thought I was going to say the American Way didn't you?) 

**Romans 13:1-7