Thought for the Week

There’s a storm of reaction to President Trump’s visit to the UK later this week. Already there are plans for demonstrations and I wonder what the President of the USA will say to the big baby ‘Trump’ balloon which will fly over London for the duration of his visit. He comes to the UK when there are already major domestic political tensions over Brexit.Two cabinet resignations this weekmay well mean that the President’s visit may be something of an anti-climax after all.He’s introduced so many political and social changes inn the USA that it’s almost impossible to predict what he’ll do next.  Climate change, word wide tariffs and especially the incomprehensible policy of separating children from their parents at the USA border was as cruel as it was morally indefensible. Then again, he may feel that with his popularity still high among those who voted for him he’s confident that he can get away with this maverick style of leadership.  The midterm elections later this year may make him think again or if there were to be any surge in his popularity there will be much more of the same to come!

There were more bad kings and rulers than good in Biblical history and God’s condemnation and judgement came upon them all.  By today our system of democracy gives us the right to remove those who are in power and that may be the only way that things will change at the White House.   Like all his predecessors Mr Trump has spoken of his pride and privilege of having been elected to this high office.  However, with such privilege must come the responsibility to seek unity and to encourage good will and co-operation be it at home or abroad.  President Trump or any other political leader is honour bound to work across the political divides with tact and diplomacy and to use language that must be firm but always respectful and tolerant.

The future may be uncertain, the political world is seeing dramatic change, leaders come and go and yet the Biblical truth that loving our neighbour and going that extra mile in service and commitment remains the highest calling of political leadership.  The inscription on the Statue of Liberty declares ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free’   That must never be forgotten.