St. Lucia Simply Beautiful

Fear of the CREATOR is the beginning of all wisdom. We must return to Bible Believing/Christian Principles that governed our actions. There should be a Biblical standard for all to strive for, but instead, some of our leaders are bent on breaking down established standards that worked in the past. However, if those standards are reintroduced, they will work for us today and in the future if the leaders are respectful of the higher power. We must return to Biblical Values. The Bible teachings exhort believers to seek first the kingdom of the Creator and his righteousness, and everything else will be added on.

This is decision time, and those who consider themselves in the category of the Moveable Middle must take a stand and do what is right for their country. I mentioned in a previous column that the 2021 General Elections in Saint Lucia will be the Mother of all General Elections. Saint Lucia is at the Cross Roads.

The print, visual, and social media are ablaze with wishful thinking, in some cases promoting the impossible. It is necessary that all Bible-believing Christians seek guidance from the Almighty to direct their decision-making when it comes to marking their ballot on the day of elections. These elections will be won based on the will of our Creator concerning his disciples. Prayers will move mountains and his people will be granted the desires of their hearts. Saint Lucia is not only beautiful but blessed. Sunday, the 25th of July, 2021 should be designated a national day of prayer. Instead of jumping in the streets, we need to call upon Yahweh’s intervention in our affairs. He is able.

During the run-up to elections, the voters must ask for what they need and hold their candidate accountable when he/she enters office. The term is five years and things must not be left to the run-up of elections when there is a hive of activities. Now is the time to Ask, Seek and Knock on the door of the politician you propose to vote for, so that when elected, he/she can begin to look into your needs from day 1. Let your needs be known.

What a world in which we live today? What is your world like? You have an opinion and so do I. Prior to March 2020, it was still easy to say it loud – what a wonderful world? A song made popular by the late, great, Louis Armstrong. I have always been accused of being an optimist. Some of my well-wishers at one time even called me a perpetual optimist. I don’t think they see the level of optimism now that they once saw in me just a few years ago. We are living in the most challenging times of our generation.  Although my optimism is waning, I am holding on, only because of my abiding faith in my Creator. However, I am fully convinced this too shall pass.

I have not been hearing anything in our local news about the severe flooding that is currently taking place in several regions of Guyana. The situation demands extensive relief efforts. It is nothing short of a Natural Disaster. There is substantial infrastructural damage that will cost billions of dollars to be repaired. It is time for us to pay some attention to the developments in Guyana and reach out to help our brothers and sisters in their time of need. It is amazing how suddenly life can change from hope to despair.

As we continue to navigate through these difficult times, my simple advice is to stay in a positive state of mind and do the best we can as we move ahead with our lives. In this fast pace world, indecision is not an option. The clock is ticking and many of us claim that time is shortened. We will like to get so much more done in the limited time we have. An answer that was given to me some years ago was that time seems to be shortened because we are packing so many activities into a single day. Many of us are busier than we have ever been, and for most of us, that is the reality these days.

It is my sincere hope that the above headline will be a wake-up call to many, as it is very important to live a Purpose-Filled Life. When someone is able to answer that question, it sets the course for their life’s journey. The earlier it is answered, the better. This world is filled with DRIFTERS and when you are a drifter, you are a victim of negative forces. There is an old saying that the devil finds work for idle hands. A mind is a powerful tool that should not be wasted.

With all that is going on, there is a need for established associations such as the St. Lucia Industrial & Small Business Association (SLISBA), the Southern Business Association, St. Lucia Manufacturers’ Association, and the Realtors Association St. Lucia Inc. to aggressively represent the interest of operators in the sector. In spite of the pandemic, there are many things that can be done to ensure that small business persons can survive now, and beyond COVID 19.

Other professions within the Construction Sector are regulated – Valuation Surveyors, Land Surveyors, Engineers, and Architects, all these professions are governed by legislation. What is so different about Real Estate Agents, that there is no urgency to regulate their industry? The Realtors who promote their businesses through websites and on social media platforms make a serious contribution to promoting tourism and investment on behalf of St. Lucia. This further proves that Real Estate professionals should be recognised.