In a stirring New Year’s sermon, one of the religious leaders in Anguilla, pointed to a string of various concerns in Anguilla and the rest of the world, and emphasised the need for spiritual renewal and divine providence as an answer to many of the societal maladies today and those creeping on in the future. He was obviously fearful of the future but found much comfort through his strong Christian convictions and prayer that there was reason for hope through the guidance of the Great Jehovah and the commitment of the citizenry to positive living and leadership.

One of the fears he expressed was the increasing incidence of deviant behaviour among the young people of Anguilla and the negative impact of crime on the island. He hastened, however, to express gratitude to the law enforcement authorities for their vigilance and hard work resulting in a reduction of criminal acts. Of course there are many other social concerns in Anguilla, but there are also some note-worthy achievements in such areas as economic development and employment opportunities.

Apart from the need to continue to tackle behavioural problems on the island, there is also the requirement to ensure that Anguilla continues to be steered into the right direction in its economic development and land use policies, its plans for social development and, in the long run, constitutional reform. The term ‘long run’ is deliberate because very little is being heard about where Anguilla is on its journey to constitutional and electoral reform. It is known that the report of the commissioners had been turned in to Government for quite sometime now and it is hoped that it will not be long before some word is given as to what further action is being taken.

The start of a new year is always a time for some uneasiness because of the many uncertainties that seem to lie ahead. It is a time for all persons to commit themselves to resolutions that hold out promises of achievement and wellbeing for them individually and collectively. The well rehearsed platitudes of “Happy New Year” and “Prosperous New Year” have their traditional greeting place but it is the actual commitment of all persons to ensure the achievement of such happiness and prosperity is what really matters.

The exhortation and prayer of the religious leader, referred to above, for guidance in Anguilla by the Great Jehovah throughout this New Year must not be forgotten. There is certainly a need for us to be guided into the unknown.

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