Change the world

A merica has never been more divisive (one would have to travel back to the pre-Civil War times) to see America this divided.

Abortion, gun rights, free speech, to wear a mask or not, gas prices, green energy vs. oil and natural gas, education, serious inflation and now entering a recession, healthcare and prescription medicine becoming unaffordable and a few states and municipalities have decriminalized drugs altogether. Everything has been overly politicized, and simple disagreements erupt into violence.

Is there anyone who knows what to do?

Have you seen the dramatic photographs of the U.S. swimming coach, Andrea Fuentes dive into the pool to rescue her student Anita Alverez who had passed out under water? Amazing photographs! An amazing story. Coach Fuentes knew what to do.

While others sat in the stands or stood around the pool, coach Fuentes knew something was wrong with Alverez, under water too long, no activity in her lifeless body – without hesitating the coach dove into the water and began to save Alverez.

That story from this past week is refreshing and gave us a glimpse into the character and leadership of coach Fuentes, who knew what to do, when to do it and was not afraid to risk her life to save the life of another.

The selfless act of the coach diving into the pool to save her swimmers life is the type of selflessness, dedication, and fearless leadership we need in our nation’s capital and do not have.

In the Bible there is the story about king David solidifying his kingdom and rulership among the Jewish nation. Assembling governmental, religious, and military leaders together we read just one sentence about a small group of people, we read, “Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do…” (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Throughout the history of our nation, God has always placed people who understood the times and had knowledge of what to do.

Our founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence, paid a heavy price (some lost their lives, health, and family) for their leadership roles. These founders knew America was ordained and they did all they could to establish America in the world.

President Lincoln knew to free the slaves with his Emancipation Proclamation and is the reason for the federal holiday Juneteenth.

President Lincoln knew all people needed to be free.

President Theodore Roosevelt, sometimes called the “Conservation President” due to the number of parks, recreational land, lakes, and game preserves he established. President Roosevelt knew our beautiful landscape needed to be saved.

President Truman knew that World War II needed to end. To save hundreds of thousands of American soldiers – he ordered two nuclear bombs to be dropped on Japan, killing as many as 500,000 civilians.

Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945 just six days after the second bomb was dropped. President Truman knew what needed to be done to end the long and savage world war.

President Kennedy knew that America was on the precipice of greatness and launched the ambitious plan to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade (1969). President Kennedy knew he had to lead America into the future and he did even after his assassination.

President Reagan knew that to save the kidnapped Americans from Iran (1979-1981) he needed to speak plainly, forcefully and with authority. Just minutes after President Reagan was sworn into the Presidency, Iran released the hostages (One of the Marine hostages was Sgt. Ladell Maples from Earle, AR).

While these and so many others serve as examples, where are these people today? I believe what we need the most in these United States are leaders. We need leaders, not politicians, not bureaucrats, not self-serving media stars, we need real leaders! Leaders who are not afraid to understand the times, know what to do and serve.

Coach Fuentes spoke a few days later concerning the incident, “Anita is much better, she is already at her best. It was a good scare, to be honest,” Fuentes continued, “I jumped into the water again because I saw that no one, no lifeguard, was jumping in.

I got a little scared because she was not breathing, but now she is fine.”

Coach Fuentes served her student team member. Leaders serve. What we have now in too many elected offices and corporations are people who want to be served instead of serving those they are to be leading.

If one cannot serve well, one cannot lead well.

Clayton P. Adams, West Memphis, AR email: claytonpadamslll@gmail.com.

Clayton Adams