I have a TV show idea that I think would be a hit. I would call it The Padded Room. Here’s how it would work. The set would be a padded room filled with hidden cameras. Real people will volunteer to enter the room. Once inside, they cannot leave. They can’t get hurt because the walls and floor are padded and the ceiling is way too high to reach. Here’s the catch, participants stay in the padded room for as long as it takes. What does that mean, “As long as it takes”? As long as what takes? I’ll answer that in just a second.
Before I get to that, I need to tell you who will be in the padded room. Two people at a time: one politician from each of the USA’s two major political parties. No cell phones, no devices, no décor, nothing. They get food served through a hole, and there would be a system for a restroom. But the vast majority of the time is two people in a room, for as long as it takes. Until it happens. Until they let their guards down, and we get to see their humanity. Until they express their fears, their joy, their realness. Until they actually see each other as humans and honor one another.
Instead of the ridiculous televised debates candidates have, where they simply say the other person is horrible, and they talk over each other, claiming to be the only hope for all humankind. The Padded Room should replaces debates. Could you imagine Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in a padded room finally getting to a point of honor and respect for one another?
That’s on my mind because of the election season we are in here in the USA as I write this in September 2024. Bu The Padded Room could involve any two people who have different opinions, who seem unable to be civil or honorable to each other.
As I think about people with differing opinions and power dynamics, I think about what Paul writes in Romans 13, verses 1-7:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
I am not saying that honoring leaders means avoiding speaking the truth. When we speak the truth to power, we do so with honor. Or as Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15, “speak the truth in love.” Honor doesn’t mean agreement. We can disagree honorably, though. With kindness, in love. We also show honor when we disagree with humility, leaving the door open for the possibility that we are wrong in how we have been viewing things. We might have built of months or even years of an impression about someone that they are awful people. There is almost always more to people than we realize. That leader you think is totally dishonorable, if you get to know them beyond a surface level, just might surprise you.
But we don’t need a padded room, do we? We can choose to be honorable, even to those who are not honorable. Who is that in your life? Who do you struggle with?
Is there someone in your life who you just don’t see eye-to-eye with, and you struggle to honor them? What can you do to honor them in your heart and your actions? It doesn’t mean you must be in agreement with them. You can have different viewpoints, but still be honorable. Honor doesn’t erase wrong or poor decisions, but it chooses to see the other person’s humanity.
Honor shows respect, listens attentively, gives special recognition, shows value for the other’s humanity. Ask to God to help you see the other person as he does, ask him to help you look for their humanity.
Engaging Scripture 