I beg to differ: To be trusted, trust others
“…When a policy goal to save lives co-exists alongside other policy objectives, it is suggested that the duty of human rights activists is not to ensure that governments have pure motives but to monitor their performance closely to ensure that the humanitarian dimension of their interventions is not corrupted or subordinated to other political interests….” Lt. Colonel Dan Kuwali – The use of force and human rights, 2002
The Holy Bible tells us in the tome of Thessalonians that Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica and went to Berea and later on he reached Corinth, Paul received a report from his companion and fellow co-worker Timothy about the situation in the church at Thessalonica.
In it we learn that Paul’s first epistle to Thessalonians was then written to encourage and reassure the Christians there. He gave thanks for the news about their faith and love and reminded them of the kind of life he had lived while he was with them, and then answered questions that had arisen in the church about the return of Christ and took a chance to encourage them to go on working quietly with hope.
Paul in 1 Thessalonica 2: 9-13 makes a distinction between a human word and God’s word, but how to tell the difference? How do we know if something is a worthless forgery or pure gold? There is spiritual equivalent of the nitric acid test, so we must trust always our instincts.
In 1 Thessalonians 2: 10 -11, the holy scriptures say: “10: You are our witness, and so is God, that our conduct towards you believe was pure, right and without fault. 11: You know that we treated each one of you just like a father treats his children…”
If we think about Paul in great depth, what stands out from the whole anecdote is that Paul had strong faith. But if we robustly dig deeper into the subject matter we’ll establish that for one to be trusted he or she must be trustworthy and primed to trust others, too.
In this context, Paul had trust in Thessalonians who in turn accepted him with an unambiguous belief. That was the case, because Paul unveiled himself as truthful and made sure people believed in him. There was a greater sense of faith between them.
But can people have faith in someone who cannot be believed? I beg to differ.
Are our politicians worth the voters’ trust? I beg to differ.
I strongly believe faith is an investment on so many levels – something we put our life, money, energy and values into –so it really matters that we spend our resources wisely and get good return on our outlay.
Ironically, we might associate wealth accumulation and power with greed, but a spiritually and morally bankrupt person is no use not only to the society but even to his or her own self.
My humble take is that a good strong society is one of the best investments we can make in order to have a better country or world.
I believe that when we invest our trust in others chances are that we can rake in big returns for we will be trusted and most importantly be loved by those we give our trust to. Plainly, when we invest our trust in God’s word the funds are limitless and the riches are infinite, drawn from a bank that never closes.
But can it work for us if we’re pretentiously heavy-handed and believe in ourselves that we’re a human ‘google.com’ who knows everything yet at the same time expect others to have faith in us as well as loving us? I beg to differ.
I stoutly consider that life without faith is worthless. We must strive to take a risk in investing our trust in others, for behaviour breeds behaviour.
To borrow the word of pagan Cicero: “Homines ad deos nulla re propius accedunt quam salutem hominibus dando.” (There is no way by which men (and women) can approach to the gods than by contributing to the welfare of their fellow creatures), in the same breath, accept as gospel truth that the only way to please God is to please mankind.
I believe that our country is in turmoil today because there’s lack of trust between the ‘governors’ and the ‘governed.’
If only we can bang our heads together regardless of political affiliation, tribe, creed or beliefs and rise above the rim as one people, we can overcome our nemesis together without much hurdles for there’s power in unity.”
If we all can have a proper attitude in resolve and commitment, can’t we get out of the mess we’re in? Is it not vile that as people of the same country we are so divided to the extent that the opposition is happy whenever government fails to achieve some things? Isn’t it wicked that the government puts blame on the opposition whenever something bad happens in our country?
Our greatest problem seems to be orchestrated by two much ‘politicking’ instead of working together for a common good. Do we have to wait for the UN-facilitated national dialogue to tell us that we must shove all our antiquated laws into the dustbin? I beg to differ
Do we have to wait for the country’s UN resident representative, Richard Dictus, to tell us to start listening as a country in order to be in good books with the international community? I don’t think so.
Should we have to wait for the UK’s head of Southern Africa Policy at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Adam Liddle to emphasize that until we change our ways as a country aid will continue to be re-channelled through NGOs? Isn’t that clear that Britain has more trust in civil society than the government?
Why do politicians always forget why they were put into power? Was it to serve their own egos or the people? Is it possible for a servant to dictate matters to his employers? Or have they forgotten already who employed them?
One Malawian academic, Simeon Kaunga-Nyirenda believes that when politicians forget the electorate, it is a sign that that are digging their own grave with their teeth as: “Unfortunately, that is the first sign of ‘falling from grace’. Politicians are a rare breed for whom ‘learning from past mistakes’ is an alien concept…”
Why cant politicians trust one another? Why not put national interest before their personal issues? Why would the president be hiding his sickness from his own people? Is sickness not an act of God? Is it that he doesn’t trust his own people with his health? If he announced that he was going for medical check up, wouldn’t Malawians as God-fearing people put him in prayers for his recovery?
Let me borrow William Shakespeare’s words of wisdom in asking for politicians’ attention hearken my plea that we, as a country, must learn to trust others as Paul did in order for them to trust us. If we can’t see this as a country, then I implore each one of us to take some time and listen to this Shakespeare’s prose: “And since you know you cannot see yourself, so well as by reflection, I, your glass, will modestly discover to yourself, that of yourself which you yet know not of….”
Ultimately, I agree with one of Malawi’s revered academic, Human Rights and Legal expert, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Kuwali who in his paper of 2002 titled: ‘The use of force and human rights’ aptly said: “… there is need to identify humanitarian actors who are able to defend and promote the fundamental rights of individuals through their daily acts and who are able to define, identify and label the various situations of violations and protect the rights of individuals at risk….”
Let us respect each other, trust in each other and stop abusing those that are at risk.
One Malawi! One nation! One people! One goal!
Do I think it’s difficult for a better Malawi if we amalgamate and work for a common cause? I beg to differ.
Impossible is nothing when we believe in ourselves and have faith in our fellow country men and women.
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