Bringing God back into our lives

In my humble opinion, this verse of scripture from the King James Version of the Holy Bible aptly describes the core of the current crime situation, and the seeming inability of our law enforcement apparatus to get the better of the situation.

Billions of dollars in technology, weaponry, strategies, training and consultancies have done little to abate the madness.

If anything, one can easily say the thing is getting worse. It is as though the beast that is crime is further provoked by these efforts, and therefore spews more of its venom.

Daily we read and hear of the senseless murders; seemingly unmotivated attacks on people, as though some demonic force is infiltrating the minds of those who commit these acts of violence on people selected, it appears, from a list of those who must perish in such gruesome circumstances.

The state of affairs now defies logic and excuses such as the drug trade or drug deals gone sour no longer hold water or can no more satisfy the deep concerns of the law-abiding, who fear that the next bullet or wielded cutlass may be directed at them.

Our leaders appear incompetent — bungling the management of this spiralling bedlam, and fear grips the hearts of the citizenry, causing panic responses and calls for unreasoned solutions.

Such as that coming from the Cunupia Business Chamber for the Government to make it easier for legitimate business owners to own guns.

How many of those in the grip of the crime demon are already legitimate business owners and how easy it is for one to become a legitimate businessman? What about those who already own firearms for protection? These people can be inspired to respond to an apparent threat with deadly force, thereby perpetuating the already untenable situation.

Are we going back to the days of the Wild West? We are not that far away.

The circumstances require a positive and decisive response that has so far eluded the powers that be.

Our Police Service is stretched to its limit and the blame game taking place between the political entities has contributed in no small measure to the existing conditions.

Truth be told, no government has the power or the ability to stop crime, so it is useless blaming the Government or even placing the burden of solving the dilemma at its feet. This is definitely an all-handson- deck assignment, every citizen taking the responsibility to put order back into our lives.

It stands to reason, therefore, that our physical efforts are puny, unable to shake this powerful enemy.

In spite of our billions of dollars, our plans fail over and over.

In Verse 13 of Ephesians, Chapter 6, the Bible tells us of “taking on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.” This armour is our minds — the way we think, believe and operate.

The concepts and ideologies of evil must be replaced by GOD — good orderly direction. We are our own worst enemy.

According to Archbishop Joseph Harris, we must blame ourselves for the current situation, and therefore the change for which we yearn must begin with us. It is possible to change, to become kinder and gentler people.

This can only be achieved if we inculcate GOD in our lives, each person endeavouring to follow the good orderly direction that comes from our spiritual beliefs.

This is not a religious thing, but a spiritual concept that will lead us to have respect for the sanctity of human life.

GARVIN COLE Tobago