Tomorrow is May 9. To say that it is an important date for every Filipino is a huge understatement. Crucial is a tame word. It’s “make or break” for the candidates. Looks more like do or die to me. What will it mean for our country?
At a recent lunch, an argument arose. One pragmatic and realistic (by his own description) young man was reciting the results of surveys complete with table of probabilities, calling them the “unadulterated facts and figures.”
“I am not one for wishful thinking,” he said. “This is real.”
From the other end of the table came the voice of a woman in her late 50s who had kept quiet all throughout the man’s dissertation. She asked: “But what about God?”
He looked at her in utter disbelief. “These are the official numbers, ma’am. God has nothing to do with this.”
She spoke. “But God has everything to do with everything.” Faith!
We were not in church, but I thought I heard a resounding “Amen!”
Are we ready?
This is it.
Tomorrow voters march to the precincts, enter the polling places and make a choice. First-timers are naturally excited. What a thrill to have a voice!
Are there last-minute instructions? Does anyone need a pep talk? My children are all grown up and are parents themselves, but they still need one every so often, especially when they have to face something difficult, like childbirth or a root canal; one of them, before getting on an airplane.
Is there anything anyone can say at this point that will make you troop to your assigned precinct with more confidence, a little less confused and surer of the choice you are making? Will a word of advice put more pep in your step?
Does this not call for plain old common sense? Do we follow the “leader” in numbers or the one who really can lead?
I believe that above all else, an awareness of good and evil should be our guiding light. It is also important to remember that while it is your constitutional right as a Filipino citizen to choose your leaders, it is a privilege that you are free to do so.
Someone died for that freedom. Be vigilant. Be grateful. You have a choice. Protect it with zealous hearts.
Wise reminders
I came across an article by a fellow worshipper at Without Walls Alabang, my home church where I meet with God every Sunday. She is a young wife and mother. I have taken the liberty to extract words of wisdom from her eloquent and heart-stirring piece. Denise writes:
“On May 9, we go out and vote for our candidates. Leaders with a whole slew of imperfections—the only kind of leaders there will ever be.
“How does one vote in a fallen world?
“I pray we don’t compartmentalize our Christian values on May 9, but keep them core, no matter how pragmatic we think we should be. Pragmatic should never have to mean that we push aside matters of morality, character and integrity in favor of those who promise quick fixes, narcissistic messiah types whose quixotic plans may sound brave, bold and romantic, but barely embody sound policy.
“When a man’s moral compass seems to constantly spin out of control, how can any of us be confident in his ability to lead us wisely?
“Genuine Christians will NOT leave their faith outside the polling booth; they will take it with them.
“Therefore they will forego becoming mindless lackeys to any political candidate.
“To a Christian, hope for this world is in the gospel. They also know that God promises wisdom to those who ask for it.
“They will be diligent to do their research, they will consider all issues, they will weigh all things, and they will go out on May 9 to vote wisely, with a clear yet educated conscience— choosing the BETTER over the bad—because they know that though there will never be a completely ‘righteous’ candidate, there is a ‘right’ one—the one most right for the job.
“From now until Election Day, let us support our candidates, but let us not sell our souls.
“Let us cast our ballots on May 9—knowing that ultimately our hope for change in a world shot through with imperfection lies, not in any leader or government. For governments, no matter how good, will never be able to heal what is profoundly wrong with humanity.
“At the end of the day, no matter which leader rises or falls, we can trust and rejoice that Jesus Christ is still and always will be supreme.”
Yes, we will pray for as long as it takes. We will Pray Until Something Happens.
We must ask God for discernment. Humbly we ask Him to give us wisdom. We don’t seek a perfect human being; we know there is none. What we need is a man (or woman) after God’s own heart.
Reprise
Last week I watched “Les Misérables” for the umpteenth time. No other musical has ever inspired me with such lofty thoughts nor moved me to so painfully weep, remembering ideals that fell by the wayside, dreams that today lie dead and forgotten; and wishing with all my heart to bring back the joys of yesterday, of “time gone by—when hope was high and life worth living.”
Do it again, God.
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day.