An Unhappy Lot

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It would seem from the postings on social media and blog posts that Singaporeans are truly very unhappy – with their lot which they feel is the government’s fault. This anti-government sentiment has become increasingly obvious and people have become increasingly vocal about their unhappiness since the General Election in 2011.

On one hand, the people criticise the government for being a nanny state and on the other hand they say that the government should do more for them. Do they not realise the contradiction of their statements?

I do not envy the government’s position at all. It is hard to balance what needs to be done without incurring the wrath of the people. It is also tough to predict what would happen in the future and yet it must. The people clamour for change but only change that benefits them. But in life, something always has to be sacrificed if something else is to be achieved. I believe it is called opportunity cost in economic parlance 🙂

The government is not perfect – how can it be when it is made up of sinful, imperfect men and women? It has made many mistakes in the past and it will continue to make mistakes in the future. It is a given! Let’s be clear about that. And it doesn’t matter if the government is made up of the PAP or the WP or another group.

What then should our response be? The Bible tells us clearly that governments are set up by God. Hence I always scratch my head when people get so worked up when a certain political party has won or lost.

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2. (emphasis, mine)

So what are we to do when we disagree with what the government is doing? Or we disagree with the government that is formed? The first thing is to remember Romans 13:1 (see above) and then we are to pray, as Paul advises,

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

There you have the solution – pray for our leaders set in place by God. Whether we like them or not. 🙂

After doing that, we then can bring our petitions to the various governing bodies of the government. I do not advocating silence because often silence implies agreement and then the vocal minority wins by virtue of its loudness. So, I believe we should let the government know when we disagree with its policies. But we should do so respectfully and coherently. Not emotionally, with name calling and all and definitely not in a rage. We need to make a stand. And we can make a stand respectfully. If we do not, then we cannot complain when our rights are not considered or eroded.  However, if despite that, the government still goes ahead with its policies, is God not big enough to protect us from the fallout? I believe He is. It may not work out the way we want it to be, we may indeed have to suffer hardship from a bad decision but God is still in control. Our job is to pray and to walk in His will. He takes care of His own.

Now if indeed God is calling you to leave the country and seek citizenship elsewhere, then go. But there is no need to badmouth your birth country, eh? 🙂

The world and with it, Singapore, is changing and changing rapidly. It has to. The end is fast approaching. We can choose to respond by praying and then walking in His peace or we can choose to whine and sulk. Which would you choose? Remember Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians,

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17.

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