As we commemorate forty-seven years since the Anguilla Revolution, what better time than now to bring back into focus the question: “Where do we go from here?” and answer it seriously as a people – and as a nation as a whole – as it will help us to determine our destiny.
Every now and again, each one of us needs to take time out to ask ourselves that very question if we are to move forward effectively. Reflections of the past, coupled with the lessons learnt and the knowledge gained, should equip us with the necessary skills that will enable us to move forward – and that should pertain to us as a people as well.
The time has come for us to take charge. We cannot no longer let another generation of our children suffer from not knowing and understanding from whence they came. In their veins flow the blood of their descendants who fought and died for their beliefs, and who would be saddened by the state of their descendants who have forgotten where they come from.
There comes a time in everyone’s life when he or she has to move on, and so it is with any nation. The scriptures are filled with numerous examples. The story was told of two men who were journeying side by side for a while, but there came a point in their lives when they were having serious conflicts when that question needed to be answered. Those two men were Abraham and Lot. They were relatives but they had conflicts of interest. They had to determine what to do about it; a decision had to be made. At one point, Abraham said to Lot, in Genesis 13:8-9, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” These two men were at the crossroads. They each had to decide on a desired outcome, one that was best for each of them.
In another story, found in the book of Joshua chapter 1 verse 2, God instructed Joshua to take over and move on. He spoke to Joshua and said, “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.” The time had come for them to move on, and so it is for us as a people as well. Where are we now? Where are we heading to? That is the question we need to focus on at this time.
What are the issues for us here in Anguilla at this very moment? What is the problem(s) that seems to be causing strife? It is time to pause and ask ourselves some serious questions and come up with some resolutions. The question stands before us as it stood between Abraham and Lot then – where do we go from here? Where do we want to go as a people? What is our vision? Have we counted the cost? Have we asked or sought God for direction as to where to go next?
The story pointed out that Lot journeyed east while Abraham dwelt in the land of Canaan. What was interesting, however, is that it was after the separation of the two men that the Lord said to Abraham, “Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.”
You see, we need to always seek God’s guidance for the direction of our lives. We have to make a decision and trust God to give us his direction and wisdom as we go along. We have to be decisive as a people. We have to come together and make a united decision. What do we want is the question that is before us! God is waiting for us to make that decision first, and then He will show us the way. However, we must be careful how we choose. You see, the story pointed out the factors that were taken into consideration while choosing. The story went on to say that Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plains of Jordan – that they were well watered. He sensed it was a prosperous town. No doubt business was good. He loved what he saw and that caused him to overlook what that city stood for. That is a warning for us too. Lot said it is good enough for me; it shall be my hometown. He took his family and belongings and went.
Abraham, on the other hand, turned his back and went the other way. He would not bring up his family in any such place. He wanted something higher, finer, and vaster than anything offered in those cities of the plain. He was looking for a city that had founda¬tions, whose builder and maker is God.
He did not know just where it was, nor how long it would take him to reach it, nor just how he would gain a footing there. “He went out not knowing whither”— it was a venture of faith. He set his face toward God and righteousness and a life of service —and in his influence all the nations of the earth have been blessed. The two men stood side by side that day when they made their choice, but the tendencies they showed had already set them as far apart as the North Pole and the South Pole.
We are at the crossroads. We have to make a choice. What do we want? What direction do we wish to go? These are the hard questions that we need to answer. The time to choose is now! It is not what we have, nor where we are at this moment that is important. It is what we want to be, and where we desire to go, that are important and all that matters at present.
Take a look ahead — a long, straight look ahead, facing the highest that life can hold — and then move toward it. Abraham did that. He was a man of faith. What happens to our faith? Our forebearers had faith! What does our history say about us as a people? Let us come back again to the place where we started — “Where do we go from here?” It all depends! We have three choices:
1) We can make the choice to do nothing: to stay where we are.
2) We can make the choice to go in reverse: backtrack.
3) We can make the choice to move forward: grow.
The significant fact about any life is not its present posi¬tion and achievements but its tendency and direc¬tion. If we are pitching our tent of aspiration toward a world of things, then we will go as Lot went. If, on the other hand, we fare forth on a spiritual quest, intent upon the best that life holds, it is already ours.
We may be standing this very day at the parting of the ways. We can go forward or backward, to the right hand or to the left, up or down! The choice is ours to make. Our mantra should, and always must and forever be: Forward Ever! Backward never! Have a blessed Anguilla Day!
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. Referrals can also be made directly through the Atlantic Star Center of Medical Excellence, South Hill, Anguilla. By Appointment Only: Tel 497-0765.
