Do you think 52 days is enough to repair a capital that has been destroyed and innovate a nation that is 100 years behind its time?

Before answering, please read the story of a simple cupbearer, who became a governor and restored Jerusalem, post-exile around 446 BC.

Babylonian captivity had come to an end and two groups of Jews returned to Israel with Zerubbabel and Ezra. They rebuilt the Temple, but the city of Jerusalem, its walls and doors, remained in ruins for over 100 years.

Once they arrived, all Nehemiah saw was rubble, garbage, injustice and misery. The previous governors, who used their status to obtain illegal benefits, hadn’t done anything. The people adapted to the circumstances and were unable to react.

Nonetheless, Nehemiah dared to believe in the possibility of a new nation, in all aspects. He didn’t just cry, pray or come up with strategies; he rolled up his sleeves and went to work.

His solid leadership skills gained him support, and he worked hard day and night. He sought to implant profound structural, social and spiritual changes. The righteous character he possessed as a cupbearer remained the same once he became governor. It is often said that power corrupts good people, but Nehemiah proves different. He had freedom, authority and power, but never took advantage of it. I believe these prerogatives facilitate the bad roots, which are already in the person, to flourish.

Within 52 days the work was completed and delivered to the people. It was safe to live in the capital again. The judiciary system was restored and the Temple’s services were reinstated.

Here in Brazil, our reality is not very different. Take a look:

There are many landowners with immense plots of barren land, while small farmers dream of having a little piece of land to plant crops.

We have the second largest cattle herd in the world, and millions of people go hungry.

We have the largest watershed in the Northern Region of the world, yet thousands of people go without clean drinking water. This same region has the greatest treasure in the world, the Amazon, but they are gradually losing it to international predators.

Our illiteracy rate is among the highest in the world, and some that are considered literate have trouble interpreting a simple text, which proves the incompetence of the education that is being offered.

We see chaos installed in the public health system, where patients are treated like garbage.

Young people are mainly responsible for committing the worst offenses in the cities with the highest crime rate.

In addition, drug use is among the highest in the world. Not to mention the judiciary system, which is drawn-out and distorted due to its outdated laws.

Brazil is as big in size as it is in inequalities, from North to South.

And we, as evangelicals, cannot hide behind prayer; waiting for a miracle to save the country we live in.

It takes more than this!

Democracy gives us the freedom to choose those who have the power to change this reality.

But, can you recognize a good leader?

Whether it is large or small, spiritual, secular or political, leadership can never be separated from a righteous character. Professional and intellectual skills are just not enough.

Choose someone that actually has principles.

If we observe the high standards of Nehemiah, we will have a more righteous society, with less corruption scandals to annoy us.

Be a Christian, but also a citizen of this world, and be well informed. Do not run away from reality or your social responsibilities.

Only we, the salt of this world, can prevent this sick society from rotting to its death.

There is a solution for Brazil, if we are less optimistic and naive and more aware when the time comes to vote!

Lets stop being the country of the future, and meet the needs of the people in the present.

It’s never easy, but it is possible!

Are you going to do something about it?