FREEDOM SPEAKS: Message of hope in this season of good cheer!

In this season of good cheer, we take a break in this article from our discussion on the kinds of sustainable development policies and strategies that a DFP government will pursue should we get the nod to govern this country once again. We will return to that discussion in the new year.  We take this break to share a message of hope in this Christmas and New Year’s season.

The world’s economy has been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic and this has ushered in a period of great economic uncertainly.  Many have lost their Jobs and livelihoods and the and Governments all over the world are struggling to cope with the crisis.  To many, the situation seems hopeless! Even with the recent approval in the developed world of vaccines for emergency use, there is still much uncertainty of when herd immunity will be reached against the COVID-19 disease. We all yearn to return to a state of normalcy.

Here in Dominica, not only do we have to grapple with the impact of the pandemic, we were already struggling for our economic survival prior to the pandemic, our democracy was being torn apart and the tenuous peace in our nation is slipping away.  Life was already being sucked out of our country and things got much worse with the COVID-19 pandemic.  We have spoken much about these things throughout the year.

But I want to pause to give a reminder to all that there is hope.  It is especially appropriate to do so at this time of year when many of us celebrate Christmas. As a country with a strong Christian tradition, we celebrate the birth of our saviour – the Lord Jesus.  I want to call on us to consider carefully that tradition and whether we still hold these Christian traditions dear to our way of life.  Do we really believe in Christ and the reason for his birth, crucifixion and resurrection?  Christ came to give us life more abundantly and to bring hope for the life to come!  But the transformation that comes to our live when we accept this gift of salvation causes us to trust our GOD as we go through this life and compels us to live justly.

Therefor I say to us as a nation, let us trust in God and ask for his wisdom as we seek to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We should not worry, but rather channel our energies into pursuing solutions.

But the scripture says in Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”. If we fail to be transformed by the power of the gift of salvation and instead live unjustly, we will reap the rewards of doing so and unfortunately, we will leave a messy country for our future generations.

In this season I therefor want to call on our nation not to mock GOD.  I call first on the ruling political regime, its ministers of government, its enablers and co-conspirators to turn away from your wicked ways.  This can still be part of the solution that will allow God to pour out a blessing on our nation. This can still be a part of the solution that will cause our people to pull together to save our land from economic and social decline.

But the ruling political regime have had more than enough time to turn around and do the right thing, but they have rejected good counsel for over fifteen years.  They have chosen rather to put our nation on the path to destruction, deep poverty, hatred and decadence.  So, I call on those who have continued to vote for the regime to have courage and trust that God will provide for you.  You don’t have to be held as an economic hostage by this evil regime.  Don’t sell your vote for money or material things.  This Christmas season consider why Christ came and refuse to encourage this evil regime with you vote and support.  I pray God that you will have strength and faith like the three Hebrew boys – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  The scriptures tell how these boys refused to worship the golden statue. I call on you my people to refuse to bow down to an evil Government and instead, trust God to deliver you.

I call on those of us who understand what is at stake and the need to save our country, to stand firm and let us joint hands and hearts and voices to save our land. Let us act out of love for our fellow men and not out of hate. Let us keep hope alive.

So, with that hope in mind, the Dominica Freedom Party wishes all Dominicans at home and abroad a new year filled with peace; and the strength to progress towards saving our country.

Kent Vital

Political Leader

Dominica Freedom Party.