Let us pray or be humiliated

Of course prayer is not the only solution.

By JEFF JOBE
jobe@jobeinc.com

Over the years I have become accustomed to what happens when a Republican in office speaks of faith and how they are treated by the liberal media.

Yet, it amazes me that their most loyal followers take the bait and run with it as they seem to have done when Governor Matt Bevin spoke to a large crowd in the West End of Louisville last week. I say “most loyal” and this is how they have lost their own credibility. This meeting is an example of how it is not so much what you write or say as much as the headlines that can judge not only the article but you as the writer as well.

The Governor gave numerous examples of his desire to speak to the out-of-control, crime-infested neighborhoods that are seeing more and more crime and violence associated with them.

Yet, to read the once-major news sources or midsized and small daily papers now owned by liberal corporations in our state, you would think another privileged man went to a bad neighborhood and spoke down to those consumed by crime and held a revival saying, “Let’s hold hands and pray ourselves out of this situation.”

To read their coverage one would think he spoke of nothing other than the community itself to form prayer groups and walk the dangerous streets at night as a means to deter crime.

They completely ignored that this is a bold step for a sitting governor to visit and hold a press conference on such a hard-to-win fight. It seems they missed the fact that this Governor chose as a running-mate a black female and she was with him while addressing these predominately black sections of the city.

It seems his comments stating there are many things being done to fight the problems and not a single solution. He referenced efforts from government and non-government individuals and even acknowledged the need for media coverage yet when some in attendance saw the media they began to make noise and posture for them and it worked. Governor Bevin made what anyone watching could see was an effort of compassion, one to accept his part but to also encourage ownership of those living there to step up too.

If you are a close reader of my writings you may have noticed it has been several years since I have quoted scripture and I choose not to do this because I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor. I am a broken man and write often of my own shortcomings and most importantly I believe, with or without me, God will make his views known. It is not my calling to be a preacher.

However, I write today as a testament to his true strength. I believe with all my heart what is happening in today’s media is evidence of his power. Everyone accepts when you step into political life you expect to be scrutinized for your mistakes and this was true for me as well. Yet, when your faith is used as a tool to hurt another man it will backfire on those making the argument as referenced in Matthew 5:11; Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Not a single reporter, editor, or publisher who boasted headlines sure to belittle our Governor or make him out to be some “Christian Clown” can stop the effects they bring not only to Matt Bevin but on themselves.

“Do we still need political solutions and law enforcement solutions? Do we still need economic solutions? You bet we do. Of course we do. And this (prayer) isn’t in any way, shape or form trying to take the place of other things that have got to be done. But this is something we firmly believe will make a difference in our community,” Governor Matt Bevin.

Jeff Jobe is founder and CEO of Jobe Publishing, Inc. His commentary reflects his personal views and does not reflect the views of personal or professional associations and affiliations. Reach him at jobe@jobeinc.com. Read his previously published commentary at www.jobeforkentucky.com