Bright Spot: Let's get back on the gold standard

Ever wonder why there are so many holidays between Groundhog Day and St. Patty’s Day, a span barely over a month? (Don’t ask the strange way our family celebrates the former. It has something to do with a sculptured meatloaf resembling Punxsutawney Pete.)

Could it be we need diversions from winter blahs?

There’s Lincoln’s birthday and Washington’s birthday (conveniently combined). Don’t forget the celebrative and solemn Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Oops, skipped Lovers/Valentine’s Day. Add Sadie Hawkin’s Day, but only every quadrennial. There’s Ides of March and Pi Day.

Did I miss any?

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To camp on one of the above, Presidents’ Day, it’s natural to think of presidents we’ve liked and ones we haven’t. Most would agree the “gold standard” by which we measure American presidents are George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln picked the best qualified for his cabinet even if they were rivals or bitter enemies. He astounded all with his unselfish magnanimity choosing as his secretary of state, William Seward, who was clearly insubordinate. Paramount always was what was best for the country.

He gave nearly 50 votes he received in the party primary to his rival for the Senate who had less than five votes. If not for this sacrifice the seat would surely have gone to the opposition party.

He welcomed critics, disagreements and competitors, because “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17) would result in the best decisions. Loyalty to him and his policies was never an issue.

Yet he was always a strong leader who listened and valued all contributions, but he made the final decision. Later he never rubbed the losers’ noses in it. He was never mean-spirited.

He was self-deprecating. He seldom paid attention to his ill-fitting clothes, unkempt hair or what his scoffers said about his many physical flaws (Team Of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin, p. 94).

Finally his character was above reproach. Jesus taught how important the inner man is when he said: “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit …” (Matthew 7:18).

King David was the gold standard for kings. He was: “A man after God’s own heart” (I Samuel 13:14). What made him stand apart from all the rest is, not his moral track record, but how quickly he repented.

His thirst for God was unparalleled: “As a deer pants for water so my soul pants for you, Oh, God.” (Psalm 42; 63) He quickly forgave men and constantly sought guidance from God. Count the times the Bible says: “David inquired of the Lord.”

We have to look at the directions of his life, not the detours.

Jesus is not just the gold standard, but ranks high above all gods in many ways. He’s the only one who died for and stooped to serve his followers instead of the other way around. Among all gods, he’s the God of grace — undeserved love — that he showers on us constantly.

Let’s get back to the gold standard, not for our pennies, but for our presidents and for who will be our God.

Rick Sams is pastor emeritus of Alliance Friends Church. 

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Rick Sams' Bright Spot: Let's get back on the gold standard