The First Book of Kings 3:5, 7-12 narrates the inspiring and beautiful story of Solomon and God; how God was so pleased of Solomon’s humility and his priority of life.
The predicament today is seriously calling for wiser planning, decision making, and implementation of plans. In other words, the predicament today is not only encouraging our local chief executives and national leaders to listen to the people but to have more quality time to listen to God.
The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: “O Lord, my God, you have made me your servant, king to succeed my Father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern the vast people of yours?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: Because you have asked for this – not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, not for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right – I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”
The inspirational story of Solomon must become the story of every leader, especially those entrusted to govern our country, our regions, provinces, municipalities, and barangays, and not to exclude the church leaders.
Solomon did not prioritize personal interest and benefits. He flexed his leadership being immersed with the needs of the people. He requested for a priceless gift not for himself but for the good of his people. Solomon was indeed gifted with wisdom that made him wiser to ask for a priceless and most valuable gift, wisdom and understanding.
Priority will spell the kind of leadership. Priority will speak the level and degree of leadership. Priority will define the future of governance. Hence, I pray that all leaders, especially those leading our communities, be like Solomon who chose the more essential gifts over his personal benefit and over the temporary gifts.
I appreciate the mayors who keep on asking the church for advices, for prayers, and spiritual encouragement. The act of asking the church for spiritual encouragement and prayers is not lessening their capacity and authority or expression of weakness but admitting that they need God in their work and leadership.
It is a reality that we need money and wealth to run a business and to advance infrastructure projects. It is a reality that our government needs fund to run the government and her programs. But it will make a big difference if our government leaders first seek wisdom and understanding to implement laws properly, to implement projects justly, and to lead the people righteously.
Wealth and money are not sins. But it can be the cause of sins if they replace God in our life.
There was once a lady who was so anxious about the quick passing of years and realizing that her age left the calendar. So she kept on praying for a husband. Unfortunately her size and beauty cannot qualify. Hence, she prayed for miracles and she got addicted to reading fairy tales too until she met the famous Genie that gave her hope.
One day she was walking along the seashore and saw a bottle floating. She run to pick and behold she saw the Genie as was described by the book. She opened it quickly and behold the Genie got out, and hovering over the lady remarked, “Your highness what can I do for you?” The lady was so happy and she remarked to herself, “This is now the hour for me to become sexy and beautiful!” Then she said, “Sir, make me sexy and beautiful!” But the Genie instead of answering quickly started to shake his head and responded to the lady, “Your highness, may I ask first a favor from you, please bring me back into the bottle!”
I hope you are able to relate with the anecdote. The lady could have asked for humility and courage to accept her condition and wisdom and understanding to see her situation and make her live happily.
Sometimes we fall short by asking instant gifts that will not last long or even without value. Sometimes, we strive for things that will not help us in facing challenges and finding solutions.
St. Paul will always exhort us to strive for spiritual gifts that last and its impact will last as well.
I challenge the local government of Paracelis, Mountain Province to ask for wisdom and understanding first before availing of the big loan.
It is the government’s right to avail of a loan but the people has the right to be informed that the loan is P320 million, not P320,000 or P320. It is multi-million. Without wisdom and understanding, money can become the playground of the Evil One. It can cause one’s downfall.
I hope that more government officials will request first for spiritual gifts, have more time to ponder and pray, and have a daily examination of conscience to be reminded that money will advance government programs and projects, not advance personal benefits or enrich family. It is not right for an official to say, “I built that edifice or road.” We appreciate the leadership but it does not mean that the fund came from personal pocket. It came from the people’s taxes.
Good governance will always be founded on spiritual gifts i.e. wisdom and understanding.
Reach me at [email protected]m or 0905-165-3669.
April 26, 2024
