When Public Servants Disappoint!
First of all, let me say a big THANK YOU to all the public servants who hold a government position either by election or by appointment. Some of you put out our fires, haul criminals off to jail, sentence the guilty, enforce community codes, or fix our potholes. Most of you work with a stellar sense of duty and integrity. You deserve higher wages and more respect. I salute you!
However, in every barrel of apples you will find some that are rotten to the core and sink to the depths of turpitude. Not only are they criminals, they are goofy criminals (that could be an oxymoron). Here are a few oxymoron’s who recently sank to the bottom of their apple barrel.
Arnold was a well-educated county judge in North Carolina. But when he became suspicious of the fidelity of his wife, he took some steps that make you scratch your head. He approached his friend to obtain phone texts between his wife and her possible paramour. For all of his years of public service, he should have known that it was illegal to bribe a member of the FBI gang task force with two cases of Bud Light. Now he has been convicted of three felonies and faces the potential loss of his law license.
Michael had completed the rigorous training to become a paramedic in Santa Fe, N.M. After years of recognized service, his noble calling was sullied when it was discovered that he had stolen a debit card from a patient in his ambulance. The daughter of the patient was looking over his bank statements, and found multiple purchases that were recorded after his death! It seems that Michael bought more than $11,000 worth of items including a riding lawn mower. Michael has been convicted of identity theft among other violations.
Michael (not the same person as above) was a police officer in Austin, TX. For years he carried on a relationship with another police officer. He was very upset when she broke up with him. Then, a friend told him that his former girlfriend was posting pictures of her new boyfriend on Facebook, so Michael decided to pay her a visit. She would not answer the door, so Michael allegedly broke in through the garage. Breaking and entering is still a crime in Texas. Unfortunately, Michael lost his job and brought discredit to his police department.
The great disappointment here is that people we want to trust may well be untrustworthy. When you counsel with your pastor or psychologist, you think that they will keep your conversation confidential. When you stand before a judge, you assume that they are people of integrity. When you become ill, and call the paramedics, you hope that they will be honest and not steal your wallet! Trust is expected, but not always received.
Hosea 12:7, “A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, He loves to oppress.” Beware of the company or person who misleads unsuspecting individuals. By the use of “bait and switch,” false advertising, hidden fees, complicated service charges, etc, trusting people are often cheated.
When Moses was trying to expand his leadership, he sought the advice of his father-in-law. Jethro told Moses to select leaders that, “fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain.” It is not enough to hire the most talented employees. Being trustworthy far outweighs ability. Satan was a skilled musician, but God could not trust him.
Here’s some solid advice for all the oxymoron’s out there: “Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, But the one who gathers by labor increases it” Proverbs 13:11.
You are encouraged to trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:4 ESV – “Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!”