How do we build a “wholesome . . . God-fearing Society”?
BRADES, Montserrat, Since 1997, Montserrat’s official national vision has been for “A healthy and wholesome Montserrat, founded upon a thriving modern economy with a friendly, vibrant community, in which all our people through enterprise and initiative, can fulfill their hopes in a truly democratic and God-fearing Society.” Rebuilding, God’s way – based on the God-proven seven pillars of Repentance, Renewal, Revival, Reformation, Salvation, Blessing and Transformation. However, this requires that we seek out, listen to and heed genuine godly steering voices.
If we do not, our national vision will become meaningless and will fail.
For, a business- as- usual attitude driven by the agendas of the self-seeking, power-hungry, unethical or corrupt will be undependable, unstable and counter-productive. Even without actual corruption, our local governments, the UK government, DFID and other agencies are all finite, are imperfect and may simply lack capacity or vision.
If we take a close, frank look at our government and public service, we will find low morale, lack of job satisfaction, disgruntled souls, unsatisfactory customer service, resignations, transfer requests, leave for study as an escape, migrations and early retirements based on frustration. Also, dangerously high levels of stress. Cohesiveness and cooperation within the public service have been on a steady decline for many years; they are now at an all-time low. A crabs- in- a- barrel climate[1] of fear, betrayal, divisiveness and back-stabbing is too often the order of the day. We are woefully distant from achieving a target population increase to 10,000 by 2020 and have long been struggling to maintain it at half that number.
The economy is artificially propped up by slow-drip DFID grants (or else it would utterly collapse[2]).
Governance has too often been marked by secrecy, lack of transparency, lack of proper consultation, unethical activity and immoral behavior.[3] Some promote disrespect, lying and divisiveness. Due to serious red flags, we have witnessed the closing down of the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
The struggling private sector is rife with indebtedness. Too many businesses are me-too copycats, uninventive and unimaginative. We are aimlessly floundering in increasing unemployment, constant brain drain, disillusioned youth, an education system in disarray, an unacceptable health system, an aging and collapsing, inadequate physical infrastructure and a continued failure to remedy transportation and access issues.
We are at breaking point.
Yet, this also means that Montserrat is at a spiritual cross-roads. So, as a God-fearing Predominantly Christian people, we should recognise the season of hope, challenge and opportunity – Kairos[4] – that we are under. We must act through the authority of God, with audacity, towards the blessing and transformation of our land.
Now, when a Pope travels from Rome to visit a country, it is officially termed an apostolic journey and he will present a keynote message that sums up the challenge to the nation. For a famous instance, Pope John Paul II called Poland back to God at Blonie fields in his 1981 visit; a visit that marked a watershed for that nation and the whole world.[5] Just so, on April 19th – 24th this year, we had an apostolic visit by the Rev. Dr. Alvin Nicholson, who hails from Tobago but in recent years has been ministering in Canada.
During his visit he reminded us that as a God-fearing nation we need to know (i) God’s game plan for Montserrat; (ii) what is our prophetic destiny; (iii) what is it that makes us a land of beginnings; (iv) what is it that prevents us from realizing our full potential under God; and, (v) how to go through repentance, renewal, revival and reformation so that we may be healed and transformed into our full potential under God’s blessing. In doing so, he referred to the seven mountains vision of the commanding heights of the community, as has been championed in recent years by Lance Wallnau and others.
Rev. Nicholson therefore spoke to the theme “God’s Game Plan for the Redemption, Transformation and Healing of the Land.” A key text was Psa 24:1 “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Another, was 2 Chr 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Through six nights of services, he reminded us that physical creation, all humankind included, is defiled because of sin and sold out to Satan. God has therefore set up a rescue mission and delivery system on earth to impact the planet with his righteousness, justice and power. God’s delivery system is for the discipling of the nations; thus instilling the tenets of upright godly living, good governance, good stewardship, integrity and loving your neighbor as yourself that lead to prosperity, wholesomeness, wellness and abundant life. God wants to make this land a beacon to the world, and the people of God here are the called-out spiritually transforming legislative assembly – the ekklesia[6] – assigned to bring God’s blueprint for blessing to pass in our land. For such blessing to come, we must turn from sin (missing God’s mark), from transgression (willfully disobeying God’s word and standards of righteousness), and from iniquity (substituting our own perverse standards for God’s principles). A stunning responsibility.
The apostolic challenge therefore asks us, are we pleased with our current state of affairs in Montserrat? A state, which in fact has been brewing and stewing for decades, even centuries before the volcano struck? Have we not learnt from events of 1989 with Hugo and 1995 to now, with the volcano? Is it not extremely dangerous to be deliberately and callously presumptuous with God’s mercy and long-suffering? The challenge therefore rings out: it really does not have to be that way; change can be effected literally today; but, it has to be done God’s way and no other.
For, when you are in the middle of the Red Sea and the wheels of your chariot are falling off, it is too late.
– END –
[1]
[1] Cf. TMR, DOD 16 – 5: http://www.themontserratreporter.com/de-ole-dawg-part-4-2016-public-opinion-the-media-and-the-way-forward/
[2]
[2] Cf TMR, DOD 15- 2: http://www.themontserratreporter.com/de-ole-dawg-part-2-the-economy-challenge/
[3]
[3] Cf TMR, DOD 15 – 4 on governance reform: http://www.themontserratreporter.com/de-ole-dawg-part-4-contribution/
[4]
[4] http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/kairos.html
[5]
[5] Cf. Noonan, WSJ, “We want God”: http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122479408458463941
[6]
[6] http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/ekklesia.html
