“My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when He corrects you. For the LORD corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:11-12)
Each country in the world is primarily profiled by its land, marine footprint and its people.
Its land is normally fixed in area but may be adjusted by erosion or reclamation. Its maritime borders are determined by the Law of the Sea. A country must protect, conserve and manage its environment (land and maritime assets) as well as land use for agricultural, business, industrial, institutional, faith-based, fishing, forestry, natural, parks, recreational, residential, sport and tourism purposes.
The development objective of a country is to achieve a high quality of life index, which is correlated with the standard of living desired by its people.
Our people elect a government based on a manifesto which generally espouses policies influenced by capitalism or socialism (or a combination thereof). The government then manages the environment and the people to achieve the country’s desired standard of living.
Our people are our greatest asset and we must develop them (emotionally, intellectually, financially, physically and spiritually) to the fullest to give the country the best chance of achieving its development objective. Government must determine the optimal population size (local or imported), which gives the country the best chance to creatively exploit its resources towards sustainability.
Then come the diverse countervailing forces of destruction.
Domestic violence is indicative that something has gone wrong in the family unit which is the primary building block in society.
Violence in schools, which is indicative of lack of appreciation for our fellow human beings, is probably due to a combination of flaws in the home environment and the primary school educational system.
The drug culture, another present day pandemic, can be addressed if there is strong political will and international cooperation.
Greed is caused by narcissistic behaviour and a desire to live beyond your means.
Corruption, the desire to channel public funds into private bank accounts, reflects a weak moral foundation.
War often occurs when selfish power-hungry despots – with access to arms, nuclear and chemical weapons – are unable to help themselves prevent the disease of domination.
We liken this destruction to a cloud of darkness which hovers over all societies. To mitigate the rate of destruction we must adopt the art of finding light amidst the darkness as has been elucidated by many an author.
May I draw your attention two quotes from the following eminent thinkers of our past:
“And is this power benevolent or malevolent? I see it as purely benevolent. For I can see, that in the midst of death life persists, in the midst of untruth truth persists, in the midst of darkness light persists. Hence, I gather that God is Life, Truth, Light. He is Love. He is the Supreme Good.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
The answer is for each human to join forces with others and collectively draw on that inner light and do the right thing.
This Easter season, let us remember that “He is Risen”. Love, compassion, peace, faith and hope remind us that, amidst the darkness of turmoil in families, within nations and between nations of the world, hope springs eternal as the inner light fills the hearts of human beings with a fresh cause for optimism.
(Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is basilgf@marketplaceexcellence.com. His columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com).