A New Day for Gallup?
Our community has gone through an election process and it seems the right time to do some analysis and editorializing.
But immediately some will wonder if it is appropriate to talk politics in a “spiritual perspectives” column, as if there is nothing spiritual about politics. All too many believe the separation of church and state means the separation of religion and politics. To the contrary, politics is an inescapably religious activity, that is if one’s faith is acknowledged and alive.
As a Christian, I find the Bible to a profoundly political book. It says that government is a gift from God; it compels us to honor those in authority, and to pray for them. Its basis for judgment of healthy tribes and nations is whether the king is doing justice. And there are those humbling reminders that a sovereign God causes rulers to rise and fall. What might any of this have to do with Gallup politics? A lot!
Let’s begin by thanking outgoing mayor John Pena and various city councilors for their service to the community. How many nights did these folks leave their families to work for a better community? I found Mayor Pena always wonderfully gracious and helpful.
And we should thank all those who stuck their necks out and ran for office. Thereby they encourage conversation and debate. “Giving unto Caeser” in a democracy is our participation, which for some is voting, and for others seeking office and serving.
Let us compliment new mayor Bob Rosebrough on a brilliant campaign. He made a good faith effort to set forth the issues before this community, and his supporters enabled him to afford to do so. His campaign had both style and class. This man and his materials had substance.
American politics, sadly, has in most cases become a game of competing self-interests, with citizens asking, “What can this politician do for me?” In reading Rosebrough, I sense that he calls us to a higher standard, a call to the common good, a call to community. Public service should be citizens and leaders serving each other.
Rosebrough challenges us to face the realities of our region. We face enormous economic, social and educational issues. While Gallup’s self-concept has improved in recent years, to actually create a town marked by a sense of security, identity and community will require wise leadership and willing “followership.”
So how will we know if a new day has dawned in Gallup? By what standard will we judge the Rosebrough years?
A much neglected measure of judging political effectiveness is that of “doing justice.” Unfortunately, the contemporary usage of “justice” is too often limited to the criminal justice context. We would do well to think in terms of public justice, justice in the public square.
Justice, like love and beauty, is not easily defined. Justice demands that we give people their due, which is not to say justice treats everyone the same. When my kids were small, we were sure to give them each the same size helping of ice cream, but when Shawna needed eyeglasses, we did not buy them for the rest of the family.
Rosebrough will need to persistently ask the justice questions. How do we justly deal with the water issue, making sure people get their due? How do we do justice for the alcoholic? What is justice for the land, and the landowner? When addressing political issues from the perspective of justice, rather than self-interest, often comes to a diverse conclusions.
To be sure, people of good will may come to different decisions in a debate about what justice is. But it is a debate worth having, and a much more noble activity than wrestling for a 51% majority for “my way.”
The pursuit of justice requires both humility and wisdom. It was a good sign that Rosebrough started his administration with a prayer meeting. He will need it. No doubt there were prayers for wisdom. May I add my prayer for Bob, his administration and the city council.
Lord, what would you require of our city leaders? “ That they do justice, and love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8)
Lord,” may justice roll (in Gallup) like a river, and righteousness like an ever rolling stream.” (Amos 5:24)
Lord, teach us as citizens “ to submit to those in authority, for they are ordained by God” (Romans 13) and to pray for our leaders. (I Peter)
Finally, Lord, will you endow MayorRosebrough with your justice…so he will judge your people with equity. (Psalm 72)
Ron Polinder
Executive Director
Rehoboth Christian School