"We live for those we love." - Cornerstone of the Louisiana State Capitol

Louisiana Legislators’ Bible Study /  Prayer Breakfast

Celebrating Our 16^th Year

June 3^rd, 2015

“We live for those we love.”

–        Cornerstone of the Louisiana State Capitol

“We live for those we love.”  In 1931 this great motto was written in the cornerstone of this building.  Those words call us to ask:  For whom do I live today?  Whom do I love?  The people to whom I have been called by God to be a servant?  Or myself?  Throughout this day and every day, as you make decisions and take actions, you must keep this question ever before you.  You must ask God to help you to look upon the people of Louisiana and say, “I live for those I love.”

Every year, at the beginning of the session for the past sixteen years, we have turned to the 13^th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and you are reminded of God’s sovereign appointment of you to your office:  ". . . there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God."  You are also reminded of His purpose for you as His governmental leader:  "For he (the governmental leader) is God's minister (servant) to do you (the people of God) good."  You are also reminded that God has established you as an "agent of justice", and we listen to the words of advice given to King Lemuel by his mother:  "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."  (Proverbs 31:8-9)

This can all be summed up in these words:  You, as God’s governmental minister, are to live for the people because you love the people. 

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays donw his life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters then.  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me . . . ." (John 10:11-14)

Jesus, God the Son, our Good Shepherd laid down His life for you and me.  He laid it down as a bloody sacrifice before God on a cross in order that we might be forgiven of our sinful attitudes, words, and actions and that we might be brought into a love relationship, an everlasting friendship with our God Who created you and me for Himself to be His sons and daughters.  He bought us with the price of His life:  He is the Good Shepherd Who owns us.  And He says, “I know My own and My own know me.” 

While God has called your pastors and priests to provide spiritual shepherding for His people, He has called you to be a shepherd in their governance, offering restraint to their harm and facilitating their collaboration, their united efforts, in seeking their own good. To your calling I believe that we can apply Jesus’ description of the Good Shepherd.

You, as a good shepherd, are to lay down your life, to be willing to lose everything, for the people. 

You are not to be like the hired hand who enjoys the privileges of his position but has no real interest in the people. 

• The hired hand does not say in his heart “These are my people.”
• The hired hand abandons the people and seeks his own safety.
• The hired hand allows wolves to prey upon the people.
• The hired hand “cares nothing for the (people).” 

You are to be one who knows the people, and the people know you:  “I know my own, and my own know me.”   

Dear friends, if you will have mercy toward your fellow members with regard to his or her shortcomings, and if you will ask God for forgiveness of your own and for His enabling grace, you  can  declare with one voice, “We live for those we love.” You can fulfill the cornerstone motto!   

                                                                                                                                R Wood