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The world has a memory of only 100 days

Description: Editorial
“The world has a memory of only 100 days.”

On Aug 31, 1983, the Russians shot down a Korean Airlines commerical flight that had veered off-course into Soviet airspace. All 269 souls on-board perished.The Russians refused to explain what really happened. When asked why, they repliedthat the world had a memory of only 100 days. Within 100 days, they said, somethingelse would happen and everyone’s attention would be turned to the latest issue. And they were right.

Does this sound familiar? A lot of things have been happening in our nation. Each time disaster strikes, there is strong reaction. For example, the nation was stunned when corporate figure Dr. Liew Boon-Horng was killed when a two-tonne iron mould fell on his car from a condominium-cum-office block under construction at Jalan Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.

More recently, the Ulu Klang landslide claimed four lives and swept away several longhouses. In quick response, the Government orderedprobes and passed new laws. Whether they are doing enough is not the issue here. What is important is the public’s, and especially the Christians’, attitude towards these events. Do we just vent our anger and disappointment in the heat of the moment and then let the issue pass into obscurity? How long is our memory?

Christians are called to make a difference. We are not just citizens of Malaysia. We are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20), called to be salt of the earth and light of our Father’s world.

But in the midst of so many issues and controversies, where do we begin? Lately, the controversies over the “crooked bridge”, APs, Proton , the “indecency” definition, and many others have dominated the news. How do we see through all these and make an impact in our nation?

Discern the times

(Jesus) said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpre tthe appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (Luke 12:54–56) .

Where is our nation heading? What are the signs pointing to? There are many issues out there, but not all of them are equally important.

The religious liberty issue is a crucial one with long-term implications. One high-profile case is the Lina Joy court case. Lina, a Christian convert from Islam, had applied to have the word “Islam” deleted from her identity card. The National Registration Department refused to allow the application and wanted her to produce a declaration from the Syariah Court that she was no longer a Muslim (which was impossible to obtain). Lina took her case to the High Court and lost. She appealed and the case was(which was impossible to obtain).

Lina took her case to the High Court and lost. She appealed and the case was recently heard by the Federal Court on June 28 and 29 and July 3. The judgement is pending. Will Lina finally get her wish? Think of the precedent that the judges’ decision will set for the 26 million citizens in this country.

Lina Joy is not the only one fighting for her religious rights. Have we forgotten S. Shamala or S. Kaliamal (wife of the late M. Moorthy)? Can we remember their specific grievances? When a meeting of the Article 11 Forum held at a hotel in Penang was disrupted by an angry mob, did we just shake our heads and forget the incident? How long is our memory?

The religious liberty issue is not the only one that is important. There are others and we need to learn to, in Jesus’ words, “interpret this present time”.

Decide the course

One of the most important things in life is to know what we want to achieve, and to know it as specifically as possible. It is essential that we seek the Lord on Hiscalling for our lives.Some of us are called to preach the Gospel. That is a high calling. Some of us may be called to address socio-political issues. That is an equally high calling. Whatever we are called to, we need to persevere in it.

William Wilberforce decided at a young age that God had called him to fight for the rights and liberties of the slaves. In 1788, as a British member of parliament, he introduced his first anti-slave trade motion in the House of Commons.

The motion was defeated.Wilberforce did not give up but brought up the matter every year for the next 18 years until the slave trade was finally abolished in 1806. He did not stop there but pursued his campaign against slavery itself. Finally, just four days before his death on July 29, 1833, the bill for the abolition of all slavery in British territories was passed. Eight hundred thousand slaves were set free.

Wilberforce remembered the slaves for 46 years. He made a difference. How long is our memory, and what difference will we make?

Define the boundaries

It is said that before someone can do things, there must be things he or she will not do. Many people started out with good intentions and noble goals, yet they failed miserably in the end. One key factor was the lack of clear boundaries. While the end goal is important, it does not justify any and every means to achieve it.

The Bible teaches us to obey the Government and the authorities (Rom. 13:1, 1 Pet. 2:13, Tit. 3:1). That does not mean we cannot oppose unjust government policies. But if and when we do oppose any government policy, our actions must not be seen as defiance. Instead, we are to maintain objectivity no matter how emotionally charged the atmosphere is. We are to help others remain calm, instead of inciting their emotions to support our cause. And we should never get personal, as personal attacks lead nowhere.

Knowing precisely what we are advocating prevents us from getting sidetracked.

So, how long is our memory? Are we mirrors that merely reflect light when the metal is hot, or are we candles that give light through the giving of ourselves? May the Lord speak to each one of us regarding His calling for our lives.

 



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