In his book God’s Minute, Dr Paddock narrates a story of a man who visited one businessman of precious articles. On reaching the premises the man started having a conversation with his young boy – on listening to the sentiment the businessman took one of the most precious, most expensive vessel and intentionally let it to pieces to the wonder of his customer.
On asking why the businessman should break such a golden vessel: “You have broken a more precious commodity than this vessel of gold,” the businessman replied, adding, “You are breaking the heart of my boy through your words.”
This story illustrates the most often in-estimated power of words: Their potential to build or destroy lives; raise a nation to greater heights or reduce a nation into ashes of its past glory.
As a nation preparing to go for a general election with a past of mixed fortunes - there is much to learn and unlearn in regard to the impact of words in any form.
This is how the Wiseman, Solomon counsels on how to project words towards a common good: “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Proverbs 15:23.
This counsel goes out to our leaders as we are yearning to hear them articulating what they are standing for as individual and parties, alliances: Where they are projecting to take the nation after a differed hope for five decades.
However, this promissory cheque to Kenyan must be offered from hearts that are true to principle, hearts that have been transformed and redeemed from self; thus letting words flowing with sincerity and sweetness to bind broken hearts of Kenyans that have for long languished under the york of tribalism, nepotism, clannism and corruption among other evils that have grounded the taking off of this nation from its basic challenges such as diseases and food security, shelter and ignorance, unemployment and research based policies ….
History is a testimony that words outlive leaders; define who they are and testify their aspiration.
Nevertheless, however how lofty words can be, one’s character give authority or robs one an opportunity to be trusted for what he/she says. Words affirm or contradict.
That is to say if one’s words do not corresponds with his/her sum of being, character – one becomes a cheat, untrustworthy, fluid as water: Someone who voters are not supposed to elect to any leadership position.
Thus, for a leader, words are said to confirm and explain his/her sum being to the people. Take the case of Nelson Mandela his words: “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
How relevant and self evident will they be were Mandela not to languish in jail for 27 years? Was he not to bring on board his arch rivals when he came to power? How will he have been proven that he was not driven by raw power if he did not quite at the apex of popularity?
As every media house is striving to become a conduit for aspirants particularly our esteemed presidential candidates, how honorable will it that they are transformed by their lofty aspiration for our beloved country, because, as Nelson Mandela will point out: “One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.”
We’re yearning to see in the practical sense the epitomized words of Abraham Lincoln lived by our leaders, who are and those to be, that he was his greatest enemy – that is taking the responsibility of the social - economic stagnation of this nation. Leaders who are always blaming others for failure are not yet to come in term with themselves.
We need leaders who know that they are mere human being, weak and venerable to make mistakes – thus, in need of help, higher power than themselves. Hence, when they swear with the Bible or other holy books – they mean it, that they are helpless; they need divine intervention in carrying out their noble duties to Kenya.
Humility is not weakness. It is a virtual, a precious ingredient that must be incorporated in leadership. How do we realize this, as citizens? Through words that ignite unity in diversity, sets the pace for developmental agenda, lifts the fallen to try again, brave the youth to dream and to channel their God given potential positively, renew strength of the old, heal the wounds of poverty, clot the bleeding of corruption, yes, letting the streams of justice to flow like mighty waters.
Does your word build or destroy? How can we measure this? Going by the history of this nation much building needs to be done. Our leaders need to born again to embrace new hearts – hearts that can be springs of words that bind, inspire, and build Kenyans into a one people with a shared vision.
When a tap (month) is flowing with toxic water – the problem is not with the tap rather the source (heart) which needs cleansing. Yes, we too as citizen, if we have been drinking toxic waters direly need the cleansing, now. That is to say, if our leaders are guilty we too are, if we are guilty our leaders are, too. No excuse.
For me, here lies our hope: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.
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