The Tribune

What do we need to lose? Let us consider some the following possibilities:

1. We need to lose our desire to go into debt for things that are of little long-term value. Can we get back to the idea of having classics in our wardrobe that never go out of style? Is it too much to ask that we embrace delayed gratification in more areas, especially where we need to ponder and pray before acting impulsively?

2. Most of us would do well to lose weight. If the doctor indicates that our hearts are overworking then we need to take seriously the monitoring of types of food we eat, times of the day when it is consumed, and methods of food preparation. Regular exercise is an undisputed requirement now.

3. Losing the urge to go to houses of ill repute, pornographic channels and websites, and to become involved in illicit relationships is a must if we wish to maintain any high moral standards as a people. We each either add to or subtract from, build up or tear down the moral fabric of our nation. We pollute the purity of the next generation with our pathetic and impoverishing practices.

4. We cannot keep up with this level of violence, this blatant disregard for life, this feud-like revenge and loss of self-control. We have to lose this propensity to put things (money, drugs, guns or anything else) before people’s lives.

5. It is time for us to lose our irreverent attitude towards God and holy things. The Sabbath is to be kept holy. Our bodies are the temple of the Lord. Our tithe and offerings are to be used to further the work of Kingdom building. Our spiritual gifts are to be for meaningful ministry.

6. Can we lose the disgusting habit of throwing litter in bushes and roadways? Can we preserve our land for future generations and the present tourist industry with more national pride, while honouring the memories of our ancestors who laboured long and hard in the past?

7. What if we lose the foolish notion that education is no longer essential for personal prosperity or national progress, and get back to the place where going to school is a privilege and a blessing, being a teacher is a vocation, and being a parent involves a sacred trust?

8. We can pray that we lose the taste for gossip, the craving for scandal, and the appetite for slander. False accusation and untrue allegation have destroyed many a reputation of persons who were making and could have continued to make an invaluable contribution to this society if they had not been shamefully maligned by those who knew they were spreading lies.

My sisters and brothers, let us lose what needs to be lost and rid our country of habits, attitudes and activities that bring disgrace and shame on our national name.