A spiritual lesson for all from recent happenings

13.APR.07

Editor: I write concerning the recent accident of the leader of this Country, Dr. the Right Honorable Ralph E. Gonsalves. From the reports I’ve heard of the accident, I conclude that it was the mercy of God that he is alive today. And so, the first spiritual lesson is for none other but himself. He knows more than anyone of us how much he ought to be thankful to still be on the land of the living. I pray that this period would be for him one of great reflection and consideration of how much God loves him and how he ought to be ever repentant and converted to the truths of Jesus Christ, that his life may always reflect Christ and therefore be preserved to help Vincentians and St. Vincent & The Grenadines. I encourage him to pray like David “search me oh God.” Psalm 139:23-24{{more}}

This recent happening has a spiritual lesson for the general public also. Accident and near death experiences or even death itself is no respecter of persons. Our great intellect, human wisdom and strength do not make us immune to being cut off from this earth. Our high status and positions of trust and influence is no shield from the dangers that so often threaten humanity. For “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” Psalm 8:4. “The voice said, Cry. And he said, what shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever” Isaiah 40: 6-8. Since it is only God’s word which lasts forever, we all can take the spiritual lesson of ensuring that we abide in His word for our protection here and in the heavenly ongoing investigative judgment. We are but grass, not invincible, not unmovable and certainly not immortal. So, let us all reevaluate the way we think of ourselves which has caused many of us to treat others’ rights with disrespect.

So, I come to my next point. There have been many public expressions of sorrow over what happened to our leader. And there have also been unnatural and hateful comments. Then there have been expressions of horror as to how people could wish evil on our leader. How it’s unnatural, sick and unthinkable. I agree. So let us all ask ourselves: Why do we marvel at these things? Do we not know that the expressions of hate have been brewing over time? Are not some of these same expressions made during political campaigns, from both sides of the bench? Do we not understand the logical implications of the things we say when we speak? How we by our words can cause hatred to fester in the hearts of those who listen to us and follow our examples? Ohhhh how easily we seem to forget or are we pretending? Or are we simply unwilling to accept responsibility and change our ways? When everybody is alive and well, it’s not sick and unnatural to call them names which instill hatred and evil feelings in the minds of those who listen to us. But as soon as tragedy strikes, we are shocked at those same expressions. What will we do about it now? Will we become caught up with calling those who speak evil, evil too? That is not the solution. Or will we stop to consider how we have all been responsible, at one point or the other, for what we see today in our people’s characters?

Will politicians (ULP, NDP, Green Party and any other) change their ways now? Will they speak of policies and not lambaste characters? Will they teach their supporters that they can dislike evil ideologies but not (hate) human beings? Will they teach by example, the wonderful lessons of tolerance and respect for rights (no slander and defamation of characters)? Will they? Will they now? Can they not do their jobs without descending to these evil depths? … depths which show their ugly heads later through the evil expressions that come from the characters of supporters. So let us learn some lessons. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy”. So I am NDP. I must hate ULP and love NDP. And I am ULP. I must hate NDP and love ULP. Those are the implications of some of the things we hear our politicians often express. But Christ says: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” Matthew 5:44-45. Who will learn these spiritual lessons and be like Christ? I pray we all will, leaders and followers alike.

Anesia O. Richards