Transformation Starts With Us

Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man!” 2 Samuel 12:7

Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sin. The King not only committed adultery, but he tried to cover it up by committing murder! David realized his sin and cried out for God’s mercy. “A clean heart create for me, O God, ​and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, ​and your Holy Spirit take not from me.” (Psalm 51:12-13)

Yesterday morning I was watching the news and was dismayed to learn that our country, the Philippines, has fallen 2 places down the 2021 Corruption Perception Index from its rank in 2020. We rank 117 in a list of 180 countries, and we get the same score as Algeria, Egypt, Zambia, and Nepal. The discussion afterwards centered on the institutional and cultural corruption prevalent now. The one being interviewed said it will take more than one term of the Presidency to change this because it is so embedded in our way of doing things with the government. 

Institutional corruption like what happened with Pharmally and other dubious government transactions was especially concerning because the President acted as if he was the lawyer of those stealing our taxes, instead of him trying to find the culprits. But we as a people are also at fault because it is so easy for us to give grease money to facilitate procedures with government offices. To cut red tape, we are willing to give money under the table. That is what is meant by cultural corruption. I remember when someone from the QC Hall visited one of our branches and asked why we pay higher Municipal taxes than the watch store next to us when we were just selling paper products and inexpensive gifts. Shouldn’t that inspector have asked the question of the owners of the watch store if he really wanted to know the answer? This is happening in all corners of our country!

We need to face our sin and repent with humility. Let us claim God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Let us take God’s word to heart so He will give us good leaders who will make a way for transformation to start in our country. It begins with us.