I have just been watching the evening news. A statue of Nelson Mandela has been erected in Parliament Square in London and the man himself was there to see the unveiling. Certainly he is a man of politics with a difference.
After spending almost 3 decades in prison because he believed that everyone should have the same rights regardless of the colour of their skin, we all know how he was released and subsequently became the leader of South Africa. When I think of all he must have endured in those years of imprisonment, his political life after release is all the more amazing.
Instead of reprisal and revenge, he introduced strategies of reconciliation.
He is a man of absolute integrity in everything he does.
He is forthright, not mincing his words, but does not choose words in order to deceive, score political points against rivals or give an incorrect impression.
He doesn't lie but speaks the truth, even if it isn't popular.
He is approachable.
I tried to think of other political figures both in the UK and in other countries and tried to imagine them with those characteristics. Quite difficult - even for those politicians who claim to be Christians. Some would say that in politics, you can't display your own faith publicly and you cannot always live according to Biblical standards. There are other faiths to consider. It would appear that Nelson Mandela managed to do a pretty good job! What if ... ... all 'Christian' countries had leaders who really lived the Jesus way, then we would really make a difference for good in the world.
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