11 days to go

Lately, some of my friends would fancy themselves over countdowns. One, as she approached her wedding day, which came last April 17, and another as she's counting the days toward her own wedding day as well, which will be happening on June next year. I count with them, too. But well, my own countdown is focused towards December 5 which is 220 days from today. I'll leave it there.

Now, what's with the "11 days"?

If you're mentally counting while reading this, you would obviously know that it's the big day when (hopefully) everyone who loves the country enough would make the wise step of exercising their privilege through shading the right circles that correspond the name of the people who they believe will live out the positions they're running for with integrity and with genuine love for the country and its people.

I haven't completed my list yet. But somehow have trimmed down my choices and learned to set my standards of whom to entitle my "yes" to.

There's been a number of posts that educate us about this whole election thing (and I'm so much grateful about them), which made you and me realize that the coming one would not be that ordinary. There's this certain desperation that has led to passion exercised by many that shouts for the real-deal and clamors for this country's reconstruction.

Even those who are running for office knew from the start that it's a big risk setting yourself under public scrutiny and proving them that you're the person they need to lift up the Philippines again, not to mention, to eradicate corruption. Coming from the present administration, it sure is a big leap of guts and faith for these political candidates. (I remember the infamous Eddie Gil who made himself popular during the 2004 elections when he said that he will pay for all the Philippines' debt. Of course, what happened was he was given a short-lived showbiz career afterward. Then I haven't heard of him lately.)

Jethro told Moses (Exodus 18:21), "You will need to appoint some competent leaders who respect God and are trustworthy and honest." The Bible has set the ground of the qualities of a leader whom we must choose. Even if one is not a Bible-believer, he may succumb to this “principle” as good and a fitting one to base your judgment from.

I encountered that verse above when Ptr. Peter Tan-Chi spoke about it before the crowd in Araneta Coliseum during Puso sa Puso. My head just kept nodding. The event was one perfect time to capture what really is in the hearts of the seven (We're informed that Gibo and Erap weren't able to come because they're stuck with their political sorties.) presidentiables (thus, the event's title). They had their fair share of opportunity on the couch. I had my initial judgment though that they maybe just saying things that the audience would want to hear, especially that it's sort of a Christian gathering.

At the end of the day, I cannot accurately judge their hearts. Nonetheless, I believe that these people knew about the higher authority that could accurately determine the outcome of man's activities.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will 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

Someone once said that the most crucial position is being down on your knees. Most of us are presently in the most crucial time of our history, I believe. This may be the latest possible hour, our "11th hour".

The Lord has given us the freewill to choose. He made us both critical and wise. Whether you're bagging for an official seat or not, you do have a position, and it matters. I will make my vote count, knowing that He's sovereign above all things.

I'm looking forward to 11 days from today and to the days after that. He will heal our land.