This has been a busy, tension filled week. We have become an IT expert nation, plus we now know a little more Latin than we did before – courtesy of our lawyers.
The ruling came out on Friday – the Presidential election was nullified. With it came mixed reactions. Some of us are elated, others are disappointed, still others are concerned about the future. The stock exchange reacted, people celebrated, Facebook posts were vindicated, others were vilified.
In the midst of these mixed reactions, I have been wondering what my Christian response should be. The supreme court ruling has many effects on us. It showed that the judiciary can make bold decisions for the sake of justice. IEBC is now under pressure to deliver a second election in two months. The winning side, did not win. The other side, has an opportunity to have another go.
What then should my response as a Christian be?
As I thought and prayed about it, I found a passage in Micah 6:8. Incidentally, it is found within a dialogue which is set up like a court case, with a petitioner, and a respondent. God is the petitioner holding Israel, the respondent, accountable to their behaviour towards him. The prophet Micah, is in this instance, Amicus Dei, the friend of God. He concludes that “court” section by advising Israel, the respondent. This is what he says –
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Justice: God is interested in Justice. The thing is Justice is not always convenient. When we pray for justice, what this ruling reminds me that there are many ways in which God may respond. Justice will come at a cost. Our role is to seek obedience by applying justice in our spheres of influence.
Mercy: God is not obligated to give a second chance. When he gives that second chance it is an act of mercy. We have a second chance as a nation to do elections properly. We have a second chance to exercise love, patience, concern as a nation in the process of an election. This is an act of mercy, for which we need to be grateful. It also is a chance for us as Christians to redo what we did right, and to correct what we did wrong. Let us be grateful for that act of mercy, and be good stewards of it.
Humility: Humility is required of us, not just to each other, on whatever side of the divide, but we need to be humble before God. Humility does not mean silence, or acquiescence to injustice. Humility does not mean anything goes. Humility means that we are all under God’s sovereign power and we must act in obedience first to him, before anyone else. Over the next 60 days and beyond, how will you live out your life humbly before God, being a godly citizen.
What to do? Social media is the platform of choice for many of us to exercise our opinion. It is our place of influence, as a literate community. I challenge you to evaluate your communication on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter against these three values. When you express yourself, are you advocating justice, affirming mercy and demonstrating humility. The next two months will be critical – this is where we must be salt and light for the sake of the Nation God has given us.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Radical Impact 