David, et.al.: Leadership lessons
IN
his last days, in the face of a plägue, David prayed to God for his people, built an altar on a place of worship he paid for, instead of getting it for free. The Lord answered his prayer and the plägue was stopped.
The Philippines can be spared from disastrous effects of plägues if we will humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways as God in 2 Chronicles 7:14 promises to hear from heaven, to forgive our sins and to heal our land.
But apart from humility and repentance, prayer and transformation, we need to demonstrate that we learn our lessons. Our leaders, especially those running in the May elections, should show the way. And, we the citizens should wake up, stand up, and take action for real change! Kailangan na nating ipakita na tayo’y nagbabago na rin sa pagpili ng mga kandidato! Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.
Our second paradigm is Uriah. Outstanding are his discipline and patriotism. This heroic husband of Bathsheba was a loyal soldier who belonged to the socalled “Thirty,” a select group of leading warriors of David. Like many military, his wife was a stunning, extraordinary beauty, probably as attractive and alluring as our own international beauty queens. Given the rare furlough or R and R to be with his wife, one would think he would surely grab it, especially because no less than the king ordered it, not once but twice. But no. Uriah declined the special privilege; he resisted the temptation. In effect, he said, “My countrymen are staying in tents and my superior and fellow soldiers are camped in open fields. How, in conscience, would I go to my house to eat and drink and have sex with my wife?” Amazing! Fortunately, we have some military and police officials who evince laudable discipline. But we need more across the nation. The President’s drive against the menace of drug and corruption cannot succeed unless the law enforcement and other agencies toe the line with conscientious discipline.
Uriah modelled the axiom, duty first before pleasure. That’s propriety instead of privilege. Not only soldiers but also athletes and boxers abstain from sex a few days before the fight. Manny Pacquiao observes this discipline, especially since he became a Christian leader. No wonder, he is able to serve as a no-nonsense senator and defends his world welterweight crown defying age barrier.
Uriah’s admirable conduct, tinged with self-sacrifice, leaves a fresh appeal to us, as we note the quality of public service below the people’s expectation in certain government sectors. We discern them in the daily news. Mahiya naman sana sila.
Third, Nathan. There’s a paradigm set in Nathan’s courage and tact. He was not only a prophet, God’s spokesman, but also a royal adviser (silently). Nathan won the trust and support of David. He was fearless but careful. Confronting the King, Nathan employed tact. What is tact? It’s an intuitive ability to avoid hurting somebody in delivering a message, God’s message. Instead of a blunt rebuke, Nathan resorted to a parable, the method Jesus would later adopt in His teachings.
In democratic times like ours, one need not be timid, much less tolerant, to point out wrongdoing. On one hand, the quad-media – no longer tri-media – because of the social network – is seen by some observers as overcritical of the administration. On the other hand, a few wonder if the President is given the cor- rect information, let alone right advice, on critical developments and issues.
For us non-partisan citizens, we are challenged by the truism “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for all good men to do nothing.” Indeed, we need civicspirited, God-obeying, well-meaning people, without hidden agenda or ulterior motive, if we are to make sense of good governance and good religion.
Thus, when we deal with the President, we need to be tactful, honest but prudent. The opposite is futile – tactless. In judges’ parlance, we have to be judicious or to exercise sound judgment.