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“DO WE WANT RESPECT OR POPULARITY?”
Jan Merop
Award of Outstanding Merit - $1,000

Jan Merop’s weekly inspirational column, "Pause...and Consider," is in its 16th year in the News-Sun, Highlands County’s hometown newspaper in Sebring, FL. In November, 2004, she published her first book, Pause...& Consider, Keeping in step with life while in tune with heaven ~ Selah, adapting 100 columns into devotional readings. As a freelance writer, Jan has been published in Decision, Clubhouse, Journey and Launch Pad. She and her husband Ken have a singing/speaking ministry together and a heart for couples’ ministry. They are the parents of three grown sons and have four grandchildren.

I ran for class president as a high school senior. I still recall my family pitching in to create catchy campaign slogans and posters. I talked to “the people on the street” by engaging in conversation with my peers and under classmen. Then I wrote and delivered my most persuasive speech to the whole student body.

However, along the way, another person entered the race. With his influence, the votes were split and a more popular girl won the presidency. It hurt, but I stayed involved in the “local” class politics a bit.

Our senior class advisor was a wonderfully charismatic teacher that everyone liked and respected. We trusted him with our concerns over school issues. However, I recall how once we tried to persuade him to change his mind about a decision he had made. Yet, nothing we could say would alter his course. He was steadfast with reasons we simply couldn’t understand completely.

Finally, frustrated that he wasn’t going to have the same respect from the students that he had enjoyed, I made an attempt to speak with him about it one on one. His answer remains with me still.

“I’m not running a popularity contest,” he said. Then he continued to help me see that some decisions might not always meet with everyone’s approval. Respect didn’t hinge on popularity, but on the resolve to do what is right and remain true.

The word “respect” is being flung around quite a bit in the politics of the day. World opinion of our nation is being hung on that word. It makes me wonder if being respected versus being popular needs to be clarified.

With “respect” there is high regard and esteem – even awe, which is a close kin of healthy fear. However, if we confuse respect with popularity when defining how the world views the United States, we’ll weaken our stand before the eyes of other nations; eyes that continually turn toward us for the highest standard and clearest focus.

It’s nice to be popular and have everyone pat us on the back and jump on our bandwagon. We certainly need some of that. But, if there’s no substance to cling to – if a leader merely reacts to the whims of the crowd, waffling from one idea to another – an unexpected storm will quickly disperse the crowd and they’ll run for cover.

However, steadfastness draws people together with cords of strength and fortitude. Leaders who are champions of the people and just causes give us a sense of pride and purpose.

When a child’s home life offers loving boundaries and strength of leadership, the result is personal security. And as the home goes, so goes the nation.

That’s why the Bible is so intent on teaching a healthy fear of God. It is when we keep him in the right perspective that we become wise in our personal lives and in our greater national life. Our heart’s attitude says we’re at home in the presence of our Heavenly Father. He’s trustworthy. Yet, we rightfully stand back a bit with respect, knowing His power and authority.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)

A morally sound nation, a militarily strong nation, and a compassionate people will win the respect and admiration of the world. No, we might not win a popularity contest. But, that’s OK.

Popularity rests on the whims and trends of the moment. Respect is built one hard decision after another.

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