February Election: Calling Evil evil

To those who vouched for clean election and are now welcoming the winning candidates with open arms; can we say, ‘ki hoishe, hoishe (what has happened has happened), let’s move on with the winners’? If God were so merciful to forgive without repentance! If God were so tolerant of evil! If he cursorily glosses over our sins, sweep the dirt under the carpet and say, ‘let’s get back to business as usual’! 

From what I gathered; in one constituency, a source told me that he can remember only one family who didn’t take money. In another constituency from another insider, only a handful of families did not accept money because of obvious reason: being in church ministry. Perhaps some pastors and few others did not accept money. But many pastors, deacons, and ‘Jehooovah tshes’ fell before money. It is said that they were not simple tumbles: some fell flat on their faces while some fell backwards, like both feet having slipped at once. It seems like over 95% of households (families, not individuals) have been bribed. Some may argue the accuracy of the percentage but isn’t anything over 49.9% far too many? If you have not accepted money, your dad or your uncle has. Each of us is implicated (including this writer), directly or indirectly. Church attendance nose-dived and unscrupulous youths ruled our villages. Lies and rumours travelled at the speed of light. Money and drinks flooded our land while Truth suffered the worst bout of famine. We believed anything so long as it is something against the opponent candidate. Underground cadres who extort and kill suddenly become allies and comrades. Goons go on rampage where scores and scores of people were beaten, and properties vandalised. They intimidate, threaten and abuse, instilling fear among fellow villagers, brothers and sisters of the same blood. As I stood in the queue, proxy voters barged their way in again and again, and there was no shame in their eyes. The last few weeks were the darkest days in recent memory. It was like a disease epidemic, a wild fire which swept through our land sparing but a few. It laid bare for all to see who rule our hearts and mirrored who we really are.

So, how can we come out rejoicing saying ‘congratulations’? We should be putting on sack clothes, and beating our chests, weeping over what we have done, repenting in dust and ashes. From what I understand from the Bible, Sin is horrible and terrible. It is not simply a mistake, or a shade in one’s character. It is darker than black. It is death. It cost the life of God’s own Son. The cross was a sign of shame and humiliation; the ultimate choice of punishment for the worst criminal. Yet Sin required Jesus to go through it for our redemption. The price of our salvation is that heavy and therefore Sin is not to be taken casually.

So, now, can good come out evil? Can a thorn tree bear apples? Can evil be overcome with evil? God is all merciful. When I wish punishment on others, I soon find myself in need of mercy and another chance to turn back to him. But the God of the Bible will never ever go on doing business as usual in the face of such evil.