Am I part of the problem or the solution?

An article by a CIC Commissioner  (article)  revealed that he used to believe that most of the problems in Kenya could be fixed by a new constitution but he has since realised that it is easier to fix the hardware than software.  I completely identified with what he wrote about as each day presents a Kenya that is searching for (?)  redefining its moral compass (?).

In many ways, our current problems are due to the fact that we have a new constitution, a new social framework, new challenges so roles, responsibilities, practices are being redefined.    However, the process of change is also exposing our weak spiritual foundations. I mean, slavery in Kenya (39,000 people as of October 2013, Daily Nation), county governments still squabbling about salaries, a military that steals from the dead, the often casual treatment of gender violence! 

A very painful process but I thank God that He provides a timeless instruction on how the “software” in nations and of relationships should operate no matter the circumstances.

I am even more convinced that those of us who call themselves Christians need to lead the charge to reform our homes, our habits, our manners….to show that the software has been redeemed and transformed.

We need a new story line about marriage in KE

Shocking analysis from the Kenya National Aids Report, 2012 and also the end term review of the fourth Kenya National Aids Strategic Plan, 2013....

Married couples and those in stable relationships account for the highest % of new HIV/AIDS infections in Kenya (about 90,000). 

According to NACC, these two type of relationships account for 44% of new annual infections while short term liaisons (20%),  gay men (15%), commercial sex workers (14%) and mistakes at health facilities (4%) and injections by drug abusers (4%).

Something does not add up!  More than half of new infections are of comprised of people you would think would “think twice” or know better.  It almost implies that you are safer off not getting married!  No more guarantees that the boundaries of a secure and loving relationship will be enough to ward off temptation and death!

Clearly, those being infected engaging in relationships outside marriage engaged in wishful thinking that the fact that they were married would protect them. Magical thinking runs rife! 

More importantly, given that our country is comprised of 80% professed Christians, this statistic implies a certain level of skin deep adherence to the faith.   I assume that most of the 90,000 newly infected would tick the “Christian” box when applying for a new passport...!

Perhaps it is just that, skin deep, that is.  It looks like as the triple threats of the complexities of C21, coupled with rapid change and shifting sands of identify, gender and institutional authority converge and confront the institution of marriage, many crumble….

Point to ponder…where am I?  I know many couples who are in strong and robust relationships but just as many who are not……..

It is a national scandal.  What a blow to the institution!  If the family is weak, then so goes the nation!  When I read the story in the Daily Nation, I felt like I had been hit in the solar plexus. 

No facts to support this but as I read the story about the young men who fought for free booze along the Nyeri Road from an overturned truck, I think there is a correlation between what is playing out in homes in Kenya and the lack of manners displayed by those young men….

Hand wringing and cries of woe aside.

God reminds that in every age, there is scandal and scandalous behaviour.  A read through the NT and OT reveal that there is nothing new under the sun especially when it comes to sexual relationships.  Remember, Rome?

He reminds us to look to him to guard our hearts and minds in Him as we navigate this world that we are called to “in” but not “of”.  Our hope lies in Him to buttress our pursuit of a holy life that endures no matter what social drama plays out around us!