Costly Rights

There once was a much-desired piece of real estate nearby the estate of a king. The property was coveted by the king and owned by a subject in his domain. The king offered the above mentioned landowner a fair price, but he promptly refused to sell. The use of eminent domain laws is said to have originated in the early 1700’s; but this story took place hundreds of years before Christ. It refers to an evil king of a Middle Eastern country. In a democratic republic, many properties are often secured by eminent domain. In the above mentioned kingdom, the citizens also had rights to be honored. The king was known to be evil, but even he deferred to the citizen’s property rights. Though a king may be evil, he need not seek to do everything evil. So the king went home very sad, because he sincerely wanted that property. He said it was close to his estate, and owning it would allow him to expand his garden. Nevertheless, it was not to be. That is, until the king’s wife got word of it. The queen soon noticed the dejected and disappointing demeanor of the king. Upon learning about her husband’s dilemma, the queen promptly resolved the king’s problem without further questions. The queen devised a lying and evil plot, and in short order, she had the man killed. She then confiscated his property and handed it over to her husband the king. The property owner had bravely exercised his right to sell or not sell to the king; but it cost him his life. Yes, the king had a reputation for being evil; but his wife the queen was far more evil than the king. The exercise of our rights can be costly, and may even demand the ultimate price. However, the pain is greater, and the wounds are deeper, whether inflicted by the state government or by people, if rights are ignored. The evils of a State, whether it be a kingdom or republic, can only persist if the good people of the state do nothing. When good people are silent, the state is at great risks of doing evil. But when good people are vocal and prayerful, the state does good and serves them, because they exercise their rights. ‘The Good’ can only be realized as good people rise from their seats of apathy. Good people can only see and combat evils as they raise their heads from the sands of indifference. cj 07232015 PS