Restoration

The Bible offers us a roadmap not only regarding how to be saved and enter into a relationship with Jesus, but provides principles on which we can build our lives. It is the instruction manual that can provide direction and motivate us to be bold and courageous in our Christian walk.  The Lord spoke to Joshua, someone whom He had appointed to leadership over the people of Israel, in Joshua chapter 1, which says:
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Laurel Libby is a member of the House of Representatives in the state of Maine.  A News Center Maine article late last month reported: "...State Rep. Laurel Libby announced...that her full speaking and voting rights have been completely restored through a resolution in the Maine House of Representatives." It goes on to say: "The announcement comes after she returned as a voting member of the House in May following an order by the U.S. Supreme Court."   The article related: "The House voted to censure Libby in February over claims she violated the state's legislative code of ethics after she created a post on her social media page that showed and identified a transgender high school athlete that went viral."  

The Christian Post noted that Libby was censured in February...

...over a Feb. 17 Facebook post she made expressing outrage over a trans-identified male athlete winning a girls' high-school track championship. The post in question showed a picture of the student-athlete when he came in fifth place in the boys' pole vault two years ago, alongside a picture of the athlete competing as a girl two years later.

The resolution censuring Libby said she "identified the student athlete by name and shared pictures showing the minor in an athletic uniform with the school name clearly legible and blurred the faces of other students to protect their privacy, while intentionally and deliberately leaving the named student's face exposed."

The Washington Stand, in an article on Libby's restoration, quoted from a piece at News Center Maine: “They’ve now been forced to admit what the Constitution has said all along: elected representatives cannot be silenced for speaking the truth.”  She added: “From day one, this was a blatant violation of the Constitution. Today’s reversal is proof that the people of Maine still have the power to hold their government accountable — and that no majority, however politically motivated, is above the Constitution...This is a victory not just for me — but for every Mainer who believes in the rule of law, the First Amendment, and the right to be represented in their government.”

Laurel Libby's motivation for taking this bold stand, according to WORLD Magazine, is her Christian faith.  An article at the magazine's website stated:

Libby said that, as a Christian, she believes in God’s biological design for men and women in sports, and she wanted to highlight the negative effects of men competing in women’s sports.

“It’s shocking to see a biological male standing on a podium, taking the place of females,” Libby said. “I keep coming back to those young women who have worked so hard, trained … so hard for years of their life and the look of disbelief on their face as a biological male wins a medal, a trophy, that they have worked so hard to compete for. It’s absolutely not fair.”

In a February statement, House Speaker Fecteau said that “sharing images of kids online without their consent is a clear violation of the bond of trust and respect between citizens and their legislators.” He declined to comment to WORLD on the pending litigation against him.

However, Libby contends that the student’s name, school, and photos were taken at a public competition and readily available on the internet, according to the complaint. She noted that Fecteau has also posted similar photos of high school athletes on his own social media.

We can be thankful for lawmakers who take their faith to work, that stand for Biblical truth and are not corrupted or compromised as they seek to make laws that benefit their constitutents. They have a sacred trust to uphold, and should always keep in mind whom they represent.

That's true for all believers in Christ - we should always keep in mind ultimately whom we represent.  We are referred to in Scripture as ambassadors for Christ.  We are His representatives, and we can be confident that He goes with us in the endeavors we undertake.

We also recognize that Jesus in us is our source of boldness and courage.  He goes before us and will prepare the way for us to speak and act in a manner that represents Him.  We can reject fear as we adide in His presence.