I have experienced a deeper level of moral degeneration worldwide. I believe that further in the past people had values and principles that esteemed the other more than self. This included respect for property and offering support to whoever needed it without any extortion and exploitation.
The Registrar of Titles office while processing a land title misspelt one of the names ascribed for the document. We noticed and asked the agent to pursue the rectification of the names. Despite the fees paid already, the officials would not make the correction until paid an additional $200. Our Agent paid the fees and passed the cost onto us. Such is a public office sustained by contributions through PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and VAT taxes under a statutory requirement. The public service does not have a sense that they live to serve. This level of impunity is mind boggling. Such systemic injustices are all over my society. Where are we heading? What about the government’s role to provide services for the common good of its citizens?
The world is groaning and deeply in pain inflicted by those in power and control of the greater proportion of the resources. My hope is reading and reflecting on 2 Chronicles 33: 9-13,
But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.
My prayer is that even when this happens, how can we look to ourselves about those in our charge and looking up to us? As we look forward to the advent season and subsequent coming of the Messiah let’s consider Isaiah 9:6.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
May we reflect the Wonderful Counsellor in our own interactions and live in the hope of a coming government that will be led by the Prince of Peace.
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