麻豆约拍

Good morning.

On this day in 1859 French acrobat, Charles Blondin became the world鈥檚 most famous tightrope walker by crossing Niagara Gorge on a tightrope. On subsequent trips he crossed Niagara blindfolded, with a wheelbarrow, on stilts, with a man on his back and once with a pause to cook and eat an omelette. What a feat of balance and concentration!

Like many politicians, Abraham Lincoln liked to align himself with celebrities, and in the lead-up to the Presidential election of 1864 he reportedly compared government with Blondin鈥檚 skill in carrying an immense weight across a precarious length of rope. 鈥淯ntold treasures are in their hands. They are doing the very best they can. Don鈥檛 badger them. Keep silence, and we鈥檒l get you safe across.鈥�

When I came across this quotation I wondered how Lincoln would respond to our political landscape. In past weeks the issue of trust and politics has once again surfaced. One of the shocking responses to the murder of the MP Jo Cox was the number of people heard to say that they didn鈥檛 know that politicians of conviction and principle existed any more. Our political climate has become so clouded by scandal and spin that we are in danger of doubting that they will 鈥済et us safe across鈥�.

The Bible speaks of the calling we all have to carry out our God-given responsibilities well. If you are gifted at something, says the apostle Paul, you should do it to the best of your ability, whether it鈥檚 leading others, sharing your wealth, teaching or simply showing kindness to those around you.

Today we pray for those in authority over us. We ask for wisdom, skill and kindness for those who lead. We ask that they might carry out their responsibilities with integrity and honour, and that we might trust and support them. 聽Amen.