As human beings, we have made many strides over the centuries. In the area of public life, we have moved from the oppressive king-subject systems to democracies, where the rights of individuals are ensured and protected. Similarly, we have made a tremendous progress in the field of science and technology. These developments have made a difference, but problems persist - only their natures have changed.

Newspapers remind us everyday that all is still not well in the world today. It continues to be plagued with corruption, killing of innocent people, abuse of children, atrocities on weaker sections by the strong and mighty, intolerance, greed, and so on. Our experience shows that no law has ever been foolproof. When we make a strict legislation, it is misused to victimize innocent people, and when we make a lenient law, its many loopholes result in the impunity of culprits. Striking a balance between the two possibilities has not only been difficult, but impossible. Besides, we have checks and balances in place in most democracies, yet highhandedness and misuse of powers by governments are a reality. Likewise, technology has made our lives easier and more comfortable, but there is no guarantee that it will not be used for destruction – the creation of nuclear weapons is a good evidence of this fact.

This means the solution does not lie in a better political system or technological advancement alone. How then can we create a better world? The answer is simple. World’s illnesses merely reflect the condition of the hearts of those who live in it, and, therefore, its healing is possible only through the reformation of their hearts.

Political systems or technology can never substitute the role of the human heart in solving world’s problems. They can serve merely as tools to restrict human beings from practicing evil desires, only to an extent and temporarily. After all, structures cannot be run by themselves, we need human beings to operate them, and therefore their success depends mainly on the hearts of those who control them and for whom they are made.

The centrality of the human heart in creating a better world indicates that God, our creator, is primarily concerned with the values and attitudes of His people. He has gifted human beings with the ability to achieve growth in structures and sciences, but only to sustain His creation until those who live in it as its stewards repent from their evil ways through the transformation of their hearts. Therefore, even as we continue to work on improving structures to ensure better living conditions, let us not neglect the need to imbibe in us good principles. Only then will we be able to transform our world.