Kairos Consultancy Group

“The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn’t hear, doesn’t speak, nor participates in the political events. He doesn’t know the cost of life, the price of the bean, of the fish, of the flour, of the rent, of the shoes and of the medicine, all depends on political decisions. The political illiterate is so stupid that he is proud and swells his chest saying that he hates politics. The imbecile doesn’t know that, from his political ignorance is born the prostitute, the abandoned child, and the worst thieves of all, the bad politician, corrupted and flunky of the national and multinational companies.”

― Bertolt Brecht

It’s way too dirty a game.

That’s the excuse I would often use when proudly stating how little I knew about the politics of the day; and how I would go out of my way to see nothing, hear nothing, say nothing and know nothing.

Oh, how proud I was of my ignorance. My sane, sanctified self.

Then a few things stopped me in my tracks.

I met a handful of people who are truly passionate about politics & government. Theirs is a heartfelt unction to serve the people. I had no idea how they would take on the dirty monstrosity that is politics and remain in one piece. But they were willing to try. And their zeal gave me hope that someone somewhere was willing to fight for what’s right.

I started reading The 7 Professional Nations where Niyi Morakinyo paints a picture of the spiritual and natural dimensions of the world we live in with so much insight – where we came from, where we are and where we need to get to as believers.

Increasingly I became aware of very direct effect, government and politics has on my life as an individual. From the increased fare I paid any time there was the smell of rain in the air to craftily engineered shortages that drove up the cost of basic foodstuff.

Coming across the Brecht quote above in a friend’s blog post was the proverbial nail on the coffin of my ignorance.

I desperately wanted to look the other way but I knew too much now. I couldn’t unsee, unhear, unspeak and unknow any of it.

Shoot.

Why does God always get me into these situations?

But here we were.

I began to entertain the notion that good stood a chance and that someone somewhere may just do the impossible and make things right.

That was more than enough, right?

To believe on behalf of another and to commit them prayer.

But as the case often is, God seems to have way too much faith in me.

Every time I would pray for this unknown other, every time I would see an injustice and grieve before God, He would ask me: Who will I send to fix this? Are you willing to go? Are you willing to do your part? 

No, Lord, I don’t want to go. I’m fine where I am. I’m not even passionate about government so I can do something else. But someone needs to go. 

Why would you expect someone else to do what you’re not willing to? Why should they?

*Cue incoherent muttering which is pointless because He can still hear it.*

I wasn’t going to get away as easily as I wanted to.

In wrestling with the challenge and responsibility God was drawing me into, I came to a startling conclusion.

It’s all an illusion. We’ve been tricked into believing that the problem is far too big and strong for anyone to even dare face it. So reminiscent of a tough-looking, taunt-throwing giant named Goliath.

And here we are, scruffy and small, with nothing more than a sling and 5 stones.

God help us.

Where do we even begin?

Where we are with what we have.

Here’s what the news will never tell you.

How many men and women are running their households with kindness and love.

How many men and women have created families for those who have none.

How many ordinary citizens go out of their way to make a difference for everyone who comes their way each day.

How many raise their voice in defence of they that are weaker than they are.

How many bosses go beyond their titles and accolades and become friends to those work alongside them. Friend in need and in deed.

How many people in high places are quietly reaching out to people in low places and giving them the leg up they need.

How many people refuse to give in to wrong, even when it means losing a big deal or a powerful connection.

If you only open your eyes, you’ll realize that there’s someone somewhere governing with love and truth.

All is NOT lost.

Many of us may never hold a natural government position. We don’t need to. Not when we have all been assigned areas of spiritual governance in the 7 gates. Not when the battles are fought and won/lost in the spirit before anything manifests in the natural.

We’re losing because we’re playing on the wrong field. Or more accurately in the wrong dimension. There are enough sad tales of people who get into government with the best intentions but end up joining the status quo of injustice either through active participation or passive silence.

You can’t fight spiritual battles with good intentions or even good actions. It takes divine insight and power to wage war against the principalities who reign roughshod in government, which in turn influences every single area of lives. The spiritual atmosphere needs to shift before gains can be made in the natural. In the grand scheme of things, replacing people in the natural means little if the same principalities remain in charge in the spirit.

There is a cost to be paid. Of that, we really have no say. Whether we pay the cost of comfort and letting things go wrong or the cost of standing for what’s right…now, that’s the choice we need to make.

I wondered why out of all the 7 nations God would have me start with Government. But in writing this, I got it. Every single nation including, that of government, requires the sons (this generic term includes all the lovely ladies too) of God to arise and govern.

If we walk around thinking we’re helpless as far as the general government (of our countries) is concerned, we’re not going to do much in any form of government. Be it at home, school, work, church or wherever else the Lord leads. That seed of defeat multiplies and bears destructive fruit like a cancer.

But, if like David, we contend with Goliath, not in our own ability and might, but in the name of the Lord, miracles happen.

There are those who like David and Deborah have been called to hold actual government positions – elected and/or appointed.

There are those who like Esther, Joseph, Daniel and Nehemiah the king’s cup bearer have been called to hold positions of influence within government circles.

There are those who need to take charge in the other 6 nations that I’ll be writing about in the weeks to come.

Wherever you lie, Godspeed.

As you slay Goliath, don’t forget that he has brothers, sons and kinsmen. But that’s a story for another day.

Niyi Morakinyo’s book – The 7 Professional Nations: Reconciling Them Back To God – is where I got my categorization of the 7 gates as I’m writing about them. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to be fruitful for the Kingdom of God. You can download it from the Joshua Generation Trust website as a free resource. Just click here. 🙂