Dear Editor,

‘Emancipendence’ 2022 kicked off in fine style with beautiful floats representing the best of Jamaica. The integral involvement of the Church in this national activity must be fully appreciated and it was noted that biblical themes deservedly played a prominent role in the parade.

The Church has played a pivotal role in the maturity and strengthening of this nation, with three of our seven national heroes being clergymen themselves — Sam Sharpe, Paul Bogle, and George William Gordon.

While we reflect on the lives of these great men and we consider the theme chosen for our diamond jubilee, “Reigniting a Nation for Greatness”, a few questions arise: What lit the original flame that made our nation great to begin with? What does national greatness look like? And how do we get there?

I believe the answers to these soul-searching questions are found in our motto, anthem, and pledge (MAP). Our identity as a nation was forged in the understanding that we are a nation under God with prayer at its core. Indeed, our anthem is a prayer.

This vision of greatness to which we all must unite is alluded to most succinctly in the closing text of our national pledge, which says, “So that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship, and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.” Here we see a two-dimensional goal of greatness. One aspect, which is internally focused, covering environmental and moral goodness, relational strength, and economic flourishing, and the latter, which is externally poised, sending Jamaica on a mission for the good of the world.

The key to achieving this, and indeed reigniting Jamaica for greatness, may be found in the MAP itself. For it is the truth that will set us free so that we may be a truly emancipated and independent people. There are three references to truth in our anthem: true wisdom, truth affixed to justice, and true respect. Here we find the keys that will truly unlock the greatness of this precious land and reignite our nation for greatness. But it means we have much work to do.

The prophet Isaiah, inspired by the spirit of truth, wrote some 2,700 years ago: “Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.” (Isaiah 26:2) There is a special blessing for nations that keep and maintain truth. It is the eternal prayer of our hearts that Jamaica, as the anthem says, will keep truth forever and in three ways: true wisdom, truth affixed to justice, and true respect.

We need our leaders to receive true wisdom, the ability to delineate good from evil as defined by God, differentiating them from those who are controlled by demonic and worldly wisdom. Worldly wisdom, which pretends foolishly that there is no God leads to evil, shame, chaos, and ultimate destruction. But “true wisdom from above” leads to life, peace, and prosperity (James 3).

We need leaders with true wisdom who will be unafraid to deny the Inter-American Development Bank, European Union, or any other powerful global powerhouse that seeks to seduce us with money, power, or fame. We need leaders who will be determined to be global leaders for that which is true and good in “advancing the welfare of the whole human race”.

Daniel Thomas

danielthomaschristian@yahoo.com