The president will deliver his annual state of the nation address today, Monday. This is a much-awaited event as the head of state reviews the past year and previews the year ahead for the country. There will be wall to wall media coverage from start to finish. After the speech, talking heads will take turns analyzing the meaning and implications of what the president said.
No one can deny the importance of knowing the state of our country, irrespective of whether one agrees with the president’s assessment. However, there is an infinitely more significant matter than the state of the nation. I am referring, of course, to our spiritual state before God.
Jesus asks rhetorically, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). One can be too pre-occupied with the things of this world to the exclusion of his spiritual health. The Lord is not speaking only of someone who does nothing but amass riches. He is warning against being too in love with the world at the expense of our spiritual welfare.
He plainly declares that following HIm involves denying oneself and taking up one’s cross (Mark 8:34). The path to discipleship and eternal life is narrow and full of difficulties. In contrast, the way of worldliness is broad and comfortable. Following Jesus means submitting our ambitions and desires under His control. It means going against the grain of worldly wisdom.
Sadly, numberless people are more concerned about the state of the nation, or their careers, businesses, and bodily health. Again, it is not necessarily wrong to care for the daily details of life in this world. What is wrong is when we prioritize our earthly concerns over the things of God.
As every Filipino is reminded of the state of the nation, may you reflect on the state of your soul before God.
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