CREDIBILITY July 16, 2020

The speaker in the webinar I attended today is one of my most-respected and admired economists and textbook authors.  He had credibility to talk about the present state and future prospects of the Philippine economy and businesses that will thrive or fold up in the next years, not only because of his long experience but also because of his wisdom and good judgment.  People would take him at his word because of all his achievements and national and international positions that we know hold such great influence to the economic management of our country and that of others.

This just goes to show that fame precedes a person, for like our speaker whose power-point presentation did not agree with the screen-sharing and I believe was not compatible with the computers being used for the webinar, his talk (all talk) were nonetheless interesting and absorbing, enlightening and encouraging, and hope-inducing.

Likewise in life, there are people who seemingly exude a certain charm and charisma, so that they can authoritatively hold our attention and influence us to believe them and obey them.  Alas, in many, this has led to the makings of despots and tyrants, when those who had a little taste of power by the influence they wield on others, seem to lust for it more and more, to the detriment of others and their own humanity and sanity.

The World today in the epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians chapter 1 tells us on what basis did the great apostle became so in spite of being one of the chief persecutors of the early Christian church.  And we read that even if he was not physically with the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry with the twelve disciples, he was especially called, blinded, then revealed to by Christ in all His glory and power.

But there is one thing that I consider the theme of the entire passage, because unlike in human terms where a person’s credibility is preceded by fame, or wealth, or scholastic, or career achievements, only one thing really qualifies a person to be capable not only during his earthly life, but beyond and even to all eternity.  And we read this in the last verse which says: “and they glorified GOD in me.”

Yes, indeed, we are all fallible human beings, we make mistakes, we let our pride get the better of us, we let our insecurities and fears cloud our judgments, and we let prejudices and biases hinder us from learning more, growing more mature, and becoming more responsible.  But we must not let these things stop us from striving hard to gain GOD’s favor, not by outward acts of holiness, but by the outpouring of genuine love and concern to others, so that they do not see anymore who we are or how many medals and trophies and certificates and titles we have received, but the GOD who enables the weak and incapable us, to do small things that have great and eternal impact in His kingdom.

And therein lies our true source of credibility.