Best ‘change’, promise!

EVERY New year allows us to reflect upon the achievements of the past year while redirecting our efforts towards the future. I think it is more of a psychological tendency for people to make promises, targets, and goals at each starting point. In the corporate setting, budgets are prepared and subsequently approved a few days before the end of the year and implemented at the start of another. Key performance indicators (KPI) are measured at the end of the year and recalibrated at the start of another. Necessarily, changes are a common theme whenever there can be a fresh start. Of course, the more common New year’s resolutions at the start of every year are more on the diet or workout variety side considering how the holiday celebrations can make us all eat more than usual.

In the same vein, promises are usually made upon the press of the “refresh” button for every new term in public office. For instance, in his inaugural address at the start of his six-year term, President Bongbong Marcos said, among others—“and I listened to your voices who are calling for unity, unity and unity. We will go further together than against each other, pushing forward not pulling each other back out of fear, out of a misplaced sense of weakness.” In contrast, in his inaugural address in 2017, former US President Donald Trump said, “When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice… we must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements, but always pursue solidarity.” Interestingly, both presidents promised solidarity or unity since the intense election campaign that preceded their “refresh” button evidently divided the people—red vs Pink in the Philippines, Red vs Blue in the United States.

Unity is a big word yet often used in any setting that requires teamwork—corporate leadership, team sports, family gatherings, to name a few. I am not a Trump fan, but I admired how he correlated unity with the Bible, by saying “how good and pleasant it is when God ’s people live together in unity.” As God loving people, it should be easier for Filipinos (and Americans) to be united since a significant majority believes in God’s Word. If only the majority truly imbibe the most basic biblical principle of loving God and loving others as yourself, then there is no need for PBBM to remind the people about being united. Filipinos could be better off looking at their similarities when it comes to their belief in God and obedience to His commands, instead of looking at political differences. Unfortunately, pessimists and pragmatists would immediately shoot down such an idea and consider it a pipe dream.

But if we were to believe His best change promise to us—“everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23), then we should never give up. Filipino believers need to change their mindset and reorient their thoughts and ways of thinking. Our Almighty God, implored by Filipinos in the 1987 Constitution, never intended His followers to live according to the world’s system of doing things. Jesus taught those who call on Him to believe in Him. “Stay Calm, Have Faith,” in millennial language, has a biblical counterpart —“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Instead of the usual change in diet or increase in physical exercises to improve our health in 2023, believers can commit to rebuild their spiritual muscles by having greater faith in action! Faith comes by hearing the Word of God—reading the Bible, attending church services, and praying incessantly! This 2023, some of my colleagues have already committed to read the Bible daily (10 verses at least) while others promised to devote the first five minutes of each day in deep prayer. These faith exercises can be some of the best “change promises” every Filipino believer can do at the start of the year. Living a life of faith does not come overnight, nor should we expect “Mission Accomplished” by the end of 2023, but if we commit to know Him more and consistently apply the Word to every circumstance that come our way, change will come, most definitely.

In the Bible, His best change promise was restated as—“nothing is impossible with God” (Matthew 19:26). With His mighty power He can do anything, yet in our walk towards Him, we are required not only to trust and believe, but also to obey and put into action what Jesus taught us. The country, regardless of leadership, will be united if every Filipino’s heart, head, and hands are united toward doing what is pleasing to Him.

A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.

For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.