Fourth Dimension: Principles for National Change

With the surge of hope for better days in the new season of Jubilee, there is need to set that hope on beliefs and practices that will take us forward. In the letter to the Hebrews, the author gives instructions that can be helpful for our nation. It is important to note that these words were given to a people that were in exile and were in a state of trouble that saw little light of change. There was no international intervention or court of appeal. It was either God or perish. But they never perished because they followed basic principles that well up into change for the better.

The first principle was to keep hold of a true heart in full assurance of faith. The state of the nation is not so much what the leaders say, but what the people believe to be true and effective. We must continue to believe that change is coming in spite of what our current state of affairs. Change is not limited to the government or opposition. Change can happen even from the least of the people of the nation. God can use anything to make things happen.

The second principle is purifying our hearts from an evil conscience. The conscience basically refers to the inward moral guide to what is right or wrong. An evil conscience basically calls wrong right and right wrong. An evil conscience abuses authority, treads down on others rights, and justifies acts that dehumanize others. We can never enjoy the benefits of justice if the national conscience is leaning more on the evil side.

The third principle is the culture of provoking one another to love and to good works. So far the common provocation has been to riots and chaos. The result of this has not been progress but loss of life and property, not counting the time and peace lost in the process. Unfortunately the church message of love was ridiculed and seems to have been lost from the pulpit. The pulpit has adopted the message of opposition to tear down that thing called government. But the key is to commit to provoking one another to good works.

The people that have hailed the good state of affairs in Kigali have also pointed out to the willingness of the people to do good together. Truthfully speaking, we can challenge one another to small but significant acts of love to one another. It was good will that started the revolution for Kiprotich’s financial life. We can get to clean our immediate areas of residence without demanding for government intervention. We can challenge one another to wash our hands as common civil practice before we ask for an NGO to advocate for better health facilities to treat poor hygiene caused diseases. When the twin towers in New York were bombed, the then President George Bush declared that the terrorists may destroy the buildings but cannot destroy the resolve of the American people to live great lives and remain as world leaders. This resolve to live is a matter of the heart and not the economic status.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com