As the “temperature” in the country rises on a daily basis, it provokes the questions: What is the matter with our conscience? Is it alive or is it dead? These questions come from the backdrop that despite the disturbing dilemmas that confront the country, many of us still seem oblivious to the ramifications of what has happened and is still unfolding. Many still seem to be circling around in a moral fog, with no idea of whose voice to listen to, what information to believe, or which direction to go – and that is a very troubling and serious predicament.
The state of any country should be a concern for all citizens. Every citizen has a civic responsibility to his or her country, one that beckons him or her to stand up and take that responsibility seriously, for it is by participating in community that one truly becomes a citizen. It is every citizen’s responsibility to support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the land in which he or she lives. And the best way to do so is to stay informed of the issues in order to make wise decisions. It should not be money that persuades citizens to labour and sacrifice for the common good. Every citizen must be moved by patriotism and his or her personal conviction and attachment to his or her country.
You see, patriotism alone, and ignorant boasting about one’s native land would not suffice. It must be the ‘Love of country’ and that love should be worth some sacrifice. It therefore behooves all to make a great effort to restore the public’s awareness of the principles of their government, of their responsibilities toward their country, their neighbours, their children, their parents, and themselves, to be sure that their patriotism is based on a solid foundation.
In order for citizens to fulfill this duty, the state of our conscience is paramount. God has created us as moral beings. He has equipped every human being with a “built in” moral conscience to guide us. Our conscience is that valuable mechanism that, when properly educated and trained, helps us make wise decisions. God created it to be our inner voice, that moral compass which tells us whether a thing is right or wrong. The conscience is like a candle burning in the inner depths of the heart telling us the difference between right and wrong. It is also like a warning light that signals us to what we are contemplating doing, either right or wrong. It can also be likened to an inner GPS to help us know where we are and where we should be going.
The important role the conscience plays cannot be over emphasized if we are to discern what is wrong or right, and if we have to discern good from evil. We should realize that in our behaviour we should not simply follow our own fancy, but must be ruled by conscience. The conscience is a delicate instrument that must be respected. We should never seek to manipulate it or master the art of quiet denial. The conscience is there to act as defendant, prosecutor and judge with respect to actions. Therefore, a person with a normal healthy conscience cannot act contrary to their conscience.
The vital role the conscience plays is highlighted in the scriptures. For example, when Adam and Eve sinned they knew right away because their consciences were operating. They felt guilty about what they had done. They suddenly realized they were naked, and the first thing they wanted to do was to cover their nakedness. That showed that their consciences were not dead.
Joseph’s brothers certainly felt the sting of their conscience as well when they first went to Egypt to purchase corn. While Joseph’s identity was concealed, he tested his brothers accusing them of being spies and cast them into prison. Their response can be found in Genesis 42:21. They said to each other, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.” You see, Joseph did not point a finger at his brothers, reminding them of their past cruelty. It was their conscience which did. They didn’t even know they were in the presence of their brother. Joseph’s brothers felt bad after they mistreated him. Joseph wasn’t dead. He was alive, and so was their conscience.
What about us? Is our conscience dead or alive? As we listen to the many issues in our country today, what is our conscience saying to us? Can we decipher right from wrong? Can we decipher truth from untruth? Can we separate politics from the real issues? You see, for a GPS to take us to the right destination, it must be fed the correct information, and so too must the conscience. If we are to make informed decisions we must know the truth. GPS units are dependent on the source of information they get, so too is the conscience. If the information is faulty, the results will be disastrous. We can end up going places we really do not want to go. Hence it is vitally important that we get the correct information so that our conscience can work effectively. If we fail in doing so, we will programme our conscience to accept things that we should not.
We have a responsibility to ourselves and future generations – one that we should not take lightly or leave to chance. Our country needs us now more than ever. We need to allow our conscience to guide us as we chart our way forward. We must never allow our sense of right and wrong to become distorted, seared or dead. Let us ask God to give us a clear conscience that liberates us from fear and instills courage, because a clear conscience gives room for an abiding peace. It is worthwhile to remember that our conscience is a gift from God and that it is not to be taken lightly. A good, godly, sensitive, healthy conscience leads to a good, godly sensitive, healthy life.
As we forge forward, therefore, on the eve of the 49th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution and Anguilla Day, may the words of this hymn by Norman MacLeod (1857) strengthen our resolve!
Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God and do the right.
Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right,
Trust no party, sect or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
Put in every word or action,
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God and do the right.
Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee:
Trust in God and do the right.
Simple rule, and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God and do the right.
Trust no lovely forms of passion—
Friends may look like angels bright;
Trust no custom, school or fashion:
Trust in God, and do the right.
Simple rule, and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,
Trust in God, and do the right.
A blessed Anguilla Day to all!
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 2. Contact information: 476-3517 or email:marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre
