The Gold Standard.

 The Gold Standard.

 

What is a standard? The internet has all kinds of neat definitions for us: What is a higher standard?

 

Holding yourself to a higher standard means you are accepting the fact that you cannot be influenced by people with no direction in their lives. You need to be more mature and professional in the way you act around people, talk to people, and present yourself. Normal should not be good enough for you. Expect excellence and believe in yourself.

 

A very recent conversation led to some thoughts about what we expect from ourselves and others. Yes, avoiding being judgmental matters, but conversely, we can see quite often what we would NOT want to emulate in others. Tara Ross has an article on FB each Monday about our Medal of Honor winners. It is not a contest anyone enters willingly, but sometimes men and women find themselves pushed beyond their own expectations of behavior and belief. Sometimes other articles of history will tell us about those who just fell into situations where they were able to help others while not actually intending to defy authorities—at least to begin with. The Japanese ambassador who wrote out visas to Japan even as he was leaving on the train in order to save Jewish lives. The very educated woman who was both doctor, translator, and a very fine explosives expert who defied the German government during WWI. We can hope that we would do as well as these two examples, but no one really looks for that kind of opportunity in the beginning. Still, their lives have set a standard for us.

 

Again, what is the gold standard? We think of gold as being one of the most valued metals, and even God says that he refines us like gold in His fires. But what about that “influence” by people or opinions that we see all around us? Are we sullied by bullies and their opinions? Have we given up thinking and acting for ourselves out of fatigue and the feeling that our actions and words might not even be worth the effort? One man—one woman—just like that proverbial mosquito, can certainly make a difference. We start by holding ourselves to a higher standard than what we see in those around us. Our language, our actions, even our intentions must give us reasons to stand just a little bit taller, just a little bit steadier. We have to really desire justice, freedom, kindnesses, and love for our fellowman. We have to be willing to give our all in whatever situation comes up. We don’t expect to have to serve with guns in battle, but we can use words with encouragement. Hold out your hand to the one who is obviously in pain. No one has to be seen to be appreciated by those who need us. This is not a shiny uniform to be noticed. Just plain love with a smile and maybe some small act of kindness. That is the beginning of the Gold Standard.

 

May God give us peace. You are loved.