Afraid to speak up

Farmer Ramon decided his injuries from the accident were serious enough to take the trucking company to court.

In court, the trucking company’s fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Ramon. “Didn’t you say at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine’?” asked the lawyer.

Farmer Ramon responded, “Well, I’ll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite horse Beauty into the...”

“I didn’t ask for any details,” the lawyer interrupted, “Just answer the question: Did you not say at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine!’?”

Farmer Ramon said, “Well, I had just got Beauty into the trailer, and I was driving down the road...”

The lawyer interrupted again and said, “Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the highway patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident, he is trying to sue my client! I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question.”

By this time, the judge was fairly interested in Farmer Ramon’s answer, and told the lawyer, “I’d like to hear what he has to say about his favorite horse, Beauty.”

Ramon thanked the judge and proceeded, “Well as I was saying, I had just loaded Beauty, my favorite horse, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Beauty was thrown into the other. I was hurting real bad and didn’t want to move. However, I could hear ole Beauty moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans.

“Shortly after the accident, a highway patrolman came to the scene. He could hear Beauty moaning and groaning, so he went over to her. After he looked at her, he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes.

“Then the patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me. He said, “Your horse was in such a bad shape I had to shoot her. How are you feeling?”

“Of course I have to say ‘I’m fine’!”

There are times in our lives when we are hesitant to say something out of fear. Not fear of being “shot”, but fear of being “shot down”, of being ridiculed, of being embarrassed. But the worst thing is when a person is hesitant to say something - even when evil and dishonesty is clear and evident – out of fear of losing his or her favor with the boss.

I have been in the company of people who clearly knew that compromises were being made, accounting entries were being designed, slander and negative PR hatchet jobs were being executed, and yet preferred to remain silent because doing so was more convenient.

No wonder evil is so evident in this country. Philosophers have long claimed that in order for evil to triumph, all it needs is for good people to do nothing!

The person who will not stand for anything will fall for everything.

The same thing is true with the Christian faith.

There are people I know, who, when given the opportunity to take a stand for Christ, choose silence instead. It seems “safe” considering the circumstances.

Shouldn’t we choose the fear of God instead of the fear of men?

Guess what the Scriptures has to say about this: “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (I Peter 3:13-15)

Be strong and be courageous. The work of your enemies will not prevail when you stand for the things of God.

What this country needs is for more courageous people to stand against the cowards and the traitors, and to speak for what is true and what is right. People to whom we could confidently say, “You’re the man!”

(Francis Kong will be the lead trainer for Dr. John Maxwell’s “Developing the Leader Within You” leadership program this APRIL 27-28 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries, contact Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. at 632-6872614 or 09178511115)