As Thailand is a "democratic" country, everyone has a voice and deserves to be heard. Many have been speaking while many others have been consuming the news. My only view, humble but decided, is that the only way possible for Thailand to resume its once-renown fame, "The Land of Smile"..."The Land of Peace" and see no more bloodshed is that Jesus needs to be in every heart and soul, especially the ousted former prime minister - Thaksin.
Now you may be chuckling to yourself or flopping out of your chairs right now as you're bursting into a hysterical laugh and thinking that I've probably gone crazy due to the graphic scenes from TV and the stress that came with watching too much news. Well, try to think with me a little bit...what a change it would be if Thai leaders and all of the people abide in God's law and live with true justice, righteousness, mercy and love! What difference it would make if we ONLY do what God's pleased!
I have been pondering a lot about how this "civil war" can be stopped. And the only sensible answer I get is it has to start from the inner of a man's heart.
Government has tried to resolve the problems with different strategies, which eventually led to the "roadmap"...five ways towards peace...Different color parties have come up with different solutions including the coup, the demonstration and the protesting. There is no right or wrong to it.
Yet...gunshots fired off somewhere...billowing clouds and dancing flames looming over the city...sobbing people mourning over the lost ones.
Bangkok...frustration...anger...hatred...death.
Is this what we, Thais, really want?
My heart has been saddened by the news that many people have lost their lives since the beginning of April. Just as the angels throw a party when one soul gets saved, I believe that they are mourning over the dead...the souls that will be lost forever. And I'm grieving with them. It doesn't matter who they are or what standpoints they are from in the political world, EVERY ONE of them was beautifully created by God and precious to His eye...whether they knew it or not.
Zechariah 7:9 says, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'" I have discovered that true justice happens when people are ready to repent, forgive and show compassion to another fellow human being. Everyone is flawed. We need to come clean before each other. How can you make a room clean if you still hide your junks in the closet or put them in the drawers? We all know one another's mistakes. The point is - deep down in our hearts, we want to start over. But to start over, we gotta have enough gut...enough courage...to admit our mistakes, our wrongdoings.
Jesus taught something radical which I believe, if we dare enough to take up His challenge,will bring peace unto this land.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matt. 5:38-48
I read it from somewhere on one of my friends' facebook quotes and I'd like to paraphrase it here...it goes, "If we keep to the concept of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, then the whole world will be full of people without eyes and teeth!" If you know whose quote this from, please let me know. I love it very much.
All this is to say that this isn't the time to rejoice over someone's death or sneer at the indecisive groups of people. It isn't even time to hold grudges against someone.
This is the time of prayer...the time we all need to stand strong in faith...and intercede for Thailand...the time of forgiveness...and the time of repentance. Let us be decisive on our part that we will be committed to praying for Thailand everyday...that not only this "war" will come to an end...but that Thai people will come to believe in Jesus as their own personal Savior.
Last, I wanna challenge you, Christians and non-Christians alike, to reread the above scripture from Matthew once again...and DO it. Everyone can love those who are nice. But today's dare is for you to love your enemies.
Peace,
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