Basic HTML Version
though it is certainly true that the
"first world" consumes more than its
fair share of the world's wealth,
poorer nations often do not use what
they do have to best advantage.
Greed and corruption is not the
exclusive vice of the rich nations. The
poor exploit each other. And igno–
rance and superstition often means
foreign aid is wasted.
But it is also simplistic and grossly
unfair to blame
al/
the problems of
the developing world on their own
systems. Not every third and fourth
leader is a bloodthirsty dictator. Not
every official is corrupt and self–
seeking. Many are highly educated,
deeply dedicated and concerned men
and women, trying to act in the best
interests of their people.
These leaders know that their
countries are poor, and that they
must
progress. But in which direc–
tion? And at what price? This is the
dilemma.
So they experiment. They veer to
the right or left , East and West for
help and example. Sorne embrace
communism, looking to Karl Marx
and Nikolai Lenin for the answer .
Sorne follow the path of Western–
style democracy. Sorne go to the
brink of one or the other and then
pul! back violentiy, reverting to tradi–
tional ways, customs and religion–
take for instance, Iran. But others,
seeing the results of capitalism
and
communism (and all the other
'isms'), prefer to seek their own
course. Only to find that that doesn't
work either.
The price of true nonalignment is
often enervating, stultifying, stagna–
tion. And then, because an economy
can't stand still- the country begins
to-literally-fall to pieces. But it is
too easy for the casual visitor to take
a quick look around at the wreckage,
shrug his shoulders and say, "Well, if
that's the way they want it."
Those who have lived al! their lives
in the rich and powerful nations often
under-estimate the pride and pas–
sions of other countries. Armed with
perhaps little more than a flagpole
and a seat in the United Nations,
small countries nevertheless want to
hold their heads high as they try to
make their way in the world.
About ayear ago, 1 had the oppor-
tunity to visit what was then the
Gilbert Islands-a remote group of
tiny islands in the middle of the
Pacific Ocean. In mid-1979, they
became the independent nation of
Kiribati. 1 remember the pride and
joy in the eyes of the national people
as they showed me what was to be
tbe new flag. And there is nothing
wrong with tbat.
lt
is all too easy to
not take the bopes, dreams and aspi–
rations of little nations seriously.
In August last year the Caribbean
island of Dominica was devastated
by a hurricane. Most of the bornes
were destroyed and agriculture was
set back two to three years. A friend
wrote to me, "When the first interna–
tional aid teams carne and saw the
extent of damage, they suggested
that we evacuate the islands!"
Evacuate the island! How could
they?
lt
was their country- the only
place on earth that they had the right
to cal! borne.
Sorne years ago the miniscule Brit–
ish colony of Tristan de Cunba had to
be evacuated because of a volcanic
eruption. The inhabitants of the tiny
island were taken to Britain for ref–
uge. But once it was safe to return,
they al!, with only two or three
exceptions, volunteered to return.
Because their rocky little islet was
their borne.
Home is much more than just a
physicallocation. It is a way of life, a
way of doing things. lt is where you
and your people belong and feel
comfortable and secure. Although
there is no great virtue in letting your
borne fall down around your ears,
you must ask-what is the cost of
modernization?
So back to my friend and bis
question-"Isn't there anyone who
can show us the way?"
Since 1 am a Christian, 1 was not
going to recommend a system that
leads to atheism. But because 1 am a
Christian, 1 could understand bis
misgivings about our Western way of
life.
Take an objective look at the socie–
ty the West has built. Can we see
why other people migbt say–
Thanks, but no tbanks. Man does not
live by gross national product alone!
Of course, there is an answer to
the question, "Who can show us the
way?" Regular readers of
The Plaín
Truth
know that answer. As tbe
apostle Paul said (Romans 3:12), we
have
al/
lost our way, and only tbe
intervention of God can prevent us
from losing everything else as well.
Left to himself, man would wipe
himself off the face of the earth. But
just before we do tbat, God will send
Jesus Christ back, to take bold of tbe
reins of government and rule tbe
earth .
That is the answer. My friend, and
bis problems, helped me to see wby it
is the answer in a way 1 had not
thought of before.
It
is easy for us to anticípate tbis
coming Kingdom of God as the solu–
tion to our
own
everyday problems.
But the need for Christ's return is so
much greater than that. The prophet
lsaiah, speaking of Cbrist's millen–
nial rule said, "He shall not fail nor
be discouraged, till he have set judg–
ment on the earth: and the isles [even
the remotest atolls] shall wait for bis
law" (Isaiah 42:4).
Think what that will mean to
nations that bave lost tbeir way and
have nowhere to turn. At last tbere
will be Someone to trust-Someone
to look to. Cbrist will show by the
fruits of His rule, that His way
works.
No wonder that in the coming
Kingdom of God, al! nations shall
flow to His seat of government to
learn of His ways, so that they can
follow His example (lsaiah 2:2-3).
Then and only then will there be
Someone who can show them
the
way- not only true religion, but in
al! aspects of their developnient;
industry, agriculture, education-yet
preserving al! that is rigbt and good
of their national customs and tradi–
tions. There will be no longer a first
world, second world, tbird world and
fourth world.
It
will be one world–
working together- leaming to live in
harmony and peace.
Nations will trust one anotber, so
that they can learn from eacb other
without fear. Tbe most bopelessly
backward, poverty stricken country
will become, under Christ's wise and
understanding rule, a homeland to be
proud of. And never again need a
country lose its way.
-by John A. Halford