Last week was the great tradition of the Illinois State Fair. It’s the time of year when people from all over the state gather to gaze at prize winning animals, eat way too much fatty food and then get on carnival rides that make them wish they hadn’t. It’s a festive time of togetherness.
Unless, of course, you’re into politics. Then you hear embittered speeches from ungracious politicians representing Illinois. Take for example, the words of Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Susana (a Democrat) considered the former gov—Bruce Rauner (Republican)—as “the worst governor ever.” She added that while he was in office—“metaphorically speaking”—she would “kick him in the groin with much joy and pleasure.” (See the Chicago Tribune link below)
Meanwhile, the current Democratic Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker, offered these inspiring words to the annual Democratic county chair association brunch:
“In America, in the face of what the Supreme Court and the radical right wing are trying to do to the fundamental rights of every American, we, the coalition of the sane, owe something better to our children and our grandchildren.”
I suppose if it were possible, I would have jumped out of my skin at such a claim. Pritzker has somehow come to believe that those who oppose his way of life are likely not of sane mind. This should lead us to ask, what is “sanity?”
Many Illinoisans felt Pritzker himself was off his rocker when he doubled the price of car registrations. We watched our state’s citizens cry out when seemingly absurd Covid-19 restrictions forced many businesses to close. Depression was felt statewide. We’ve now discovered an amazing amount of tolerated fraud that occurred in the state’s unemployment system—payouts to falsified claims. And then his “sane” mind justifies northing short of the murder of babies in the state’s liberal abortion policies.
Sanity. How about this. The Cleveland Browns' quarterback Deshaun Watson had his “punishment” for violating the league’s personal conduct policy based on numerous allegations of sexual misconduct increased to a suspension of 11 games and a fine of $5 million. He agreed to this. How generous. This, after he received a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract in March. Think he’s hurting?
I’m guessing that if virtually anyone had the same number of women make the same allegations against NFL leadership, they would lose their jobs. But NFL quarterbacks are in another “league.” A protected one!
Then we have the insanity of America’s love affair with transgenderism—right down to our children! A most interesting commentary from Breakpoint writer John Stonestreet this past week explains how the UK has reversed course on permitting children to be abused in childhood gender transitions. In fact, as Stonestreet’s article points out, “The vast majority of younger patients were prescribed puberty blockers, drugs that are now known to cause brain swelling and vision loss."
A major “clinic” for such procedures has been shut down. As the Breakpoint article states, “Other European countries are also pumping the brakes on these sexual experiments on children….countries like Sweden and Finland that have pushed back ‘firmly and unapologetically’ against such interventions.”
But not…in the U.S. Our politicians won’t go there. Try asking our “sane” governor about his views on this.
The Oxford dictionary defines “sanity” as "the ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner; sound mental health.”
The Bible defines sanity under the microscope of wisdom. And this “wisdom” is not simply intelligence. Or knowledge. But to act with choices that serve human beings in the best way possible. Godly wisdom. Which, by its nature, comes from God.
Isaiah 48:17 reads, “This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who leads you in the way you should go.” (CSB)
The truly sane are those who find their way in the wisdom of the Living God.
That’s Forward Thinking.
You can find a number of YouTube episodes and podcasts of Mark’s program, Moving People Forward at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosyuBzdSh1mXIas_kGY2Aw?
For more information on the Elfstrand Group, please visit www.elfstrandgroup.com
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