something serious for a change

it is the eve of the 2004 elections (technically, it isn't though coz it's now 1:51 am, but you get my point) and for some reason, people like to write stuff on the eve of important occasions. i guess, the gravity of the events that lie before them drive them to a deeper sense of reflection and understanding.

anyway, tomorrow the voting population of the philippines will select the political leaders of the nation. this will directly influence the next 6 years of our lives here, and the repercussions will continue to affect us for decades. clearly, what happens tomorrow is of utmost importance.

being for bro. eddie villanueva, i believe that he alone among the different presidentiables has what it takes to bring about true change in the country at this time. having attended different meetings and rallies, i've heard the various points, and two images have formed in my mind. one is full of the hope of "pagbabago" if bro eddie wins, and the other is the dark, bleak future of the nation if any of the other candidates are elected. ive heard bro eddie being referred to as the last card for this nation. ive heard of the possibilities of civil war and/or a military junta. and this drives me to campaign with passion and urgency.

but there is something wrong with that perspective. bro eddie is not the last card. he is not the source of hope; he is only a tool in the hands of the ultimate source of pagbabago, God. now don't get me wrong. i admire bro eddie for all that he's doing, and i believe he is a great man of God. i know it was difficult for him to make the decision to run, but he did so anyway out of love for God and country. i just dont agree that he is the last shred of hope that we have, that the philippines is doomed without him.

no, not at all. there is hope for the nation, even in the worst of possibilities. why? because God is still here. He is the one on whom my hope is pegged. He alone can revive this nation. and best of all, He has promised to do it. it reminds me of psalm 2, which says

Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together against the LORD
and against his Anointed One.

“Let us break their chains,” they say,
“and throw off their fetters.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
Then he rebukes them in his anger and
terrifies them in his wrath...

God laughs...think about it. amidst the fear of massive cheating and election fraud, the rumors of civil unrest and the threat of violence, and the scheming and plotting of the wicked, God laughs. He's in control. regardless of who next moves into malacanang, God is still on his throne, as He always has been. there is no reason to fear or dread the future.

this is not some form of escapism, which is a defense mechanism of people who dont want to accept reality. instead, because i know that He's in charge, like that old hymn says, "i can face tomorrow." i can look at the facts squarely in the eye, and yet draw strength and faith from the fact that the true power is in His hands.

neither is this fatalism, where we simply resign ourselves to any outcome. on the contrary, i will continue to work my hardest for this campaign. i will wake up in three hours to fulfill my role as a poll-watcher. and i will continue to pray and believe. but this time, driven by faith, not fear.

so i will give it my best, but i trust Him for the results. i'll be like that boy with the five loaves and two fish, like moses lifting up his staff, like joshua marching around the walls of jericho, or peter throwing his net in the water. i'll do my part, and trust God to work the miracle, the miracle of saving this nation. it may come tomorrow, it may come later than that. but i know it will come, "because he who promised is faithful." (heb. 10:23)