Something is missing. It is missing in the speeches of the political leaders, it is missing on the celebrity tweets on Twitter and their Facebook status updates and it is definitely missing in the commentary and reports of journalists in the press.
This something was certainly missing in the State of the Nation Address by President Jacob Zuma, during the Joint Sitting of Parliament, yesterday (Thursday, February 14).
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This year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) was a historic one. It is the first time that a Christian television crew was on site to cover the event and interview the politicians and dignitaries. Watchmen on the Wall, the television programme of the Family Policy Institute airs every Tuesday at 7pm on TBN Africa, on DStv channel 341.
Shining for Jesus
As a co-host on the show our coverage of the SONA was an exciting event and certainly prophetic as we as Christians are called to be the salt and light in the world. Jesus also said we should not put our lamps under the table – to this we gladly complied as we four co-hosts wore our best outfits.
During the media registration it seemed like we were gate-crashing an event at which our ‘types’ were not expected. Saying I am from a Christian media house, ensured that I get enough heads turning my way.
As for the SONA, the most telling paragraph of the state of the deep sleep in our nation was the president’s: “I will look at the five priorities – education, health, the fight against crime, creating decent work as well as rural development and land reform.”
Wrong priorities
Our priorities are wrong at this time. As much as education, health and the other items on the list are important, the priorities of our nation at this point should be to fight for the sanctity of life and the moral values that are viciously spiraling downwards in our country.
If teenagers can rape their grandmother and if a father can rape a three month old baby than this should sound clear alarm bells to our president and the authorities that our nation is in a state of decay and needs some urgent attention.
The president’s address on Thursday evening dedicated one page to mention the brutal rape of Anene Booysen and the problem of rape and abuse of women and then dedicated five pages to infrastructure development and capital expenditure programmes such as the building of schools, universities and water works. Infrastructure development may be good to stimulate the economy, but will not do much for the bleeding heart of the country.
Jesus once said, “What shall it profit you to gain the whole world and yet lose your soul.” Our country’s state of disrepair needs more focus and certainly more resource allocation in the budgeting.
Secular government
Maybe we are expecting too much from a secular government to be able to effectively address the condition of the soul of our nation. Maybe the elected leaders and authorities are incapable of grasping the magnitude of this problem nor able to devise effective solutions. After all Jesus said He is the light of the world; He is the way, the truth and the light.
May I suggest at this time that Christians in all spheres of society shine their light and provide some direction in the “midst of a twisted and evil generation?”
For the Watchmen on the Wall historic covering of this year’s State of the Nation Address tune into TBN Africa, on DStv channel 341, on Tuesday at 7pm.
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Yes! Well, next year is Election year. Start a intercessory prayer vigil that God would raise honest people with integrity in Government!We need a government that “seeks God’s kingdom FIRST…impossible??
With God all things are possible!
II Chron.16:9
Some salient points. However, I don’t place much store by the speech.
A point: We cannot expect the government to do the work of the Church, in bringing healing and transformation to individuals, families and communities through the power of the Gospel and sound discipleship (lacking in many churches). The social norms that prevailed back in the 1950s, have steadily been eroded through the media (in all its secular forms) “pushing the envelope” with ungodly agendas, conditioning society increasingly to accept/ condone moral and spiritual compromise, to the point that now almost “anything goes”. Every generation needs to be evangelised and discipled. And that is the Church’s job.
Bongani we, some Christians do share your sentiment about Governmemt role and as Observer mention Church role. Many pray for a Christian Government to rule again so the united effort between state (laws) and Church (Bible rules) can transform a nation. The critical point for this to happen is growing daily and more and more silent and passive Christian is no more silent, like Bongani. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE DEBATE WITH you all on this matter.