Last week a bold step was taken by the Commodore Bainimarama in the first step of the President’s Political Dialogue Forum. Although the PPDF is sanctioned by His Excellency the President with the assistance of the Commonwealth and United Nations, it is Commodore Bainimarama who must now remove his armour and allow himself to be vulnerable and open to others if this process is to have any chance of success.
At the same time the parties invited to the PPDF need to ensure that they focus not only on their own political survival but the hopes and realities of the constituents they will compete to represent when elections finally take place.
Webster’s dictionary defines dialogue as, “a frank [no pun intended] exchange of ideas or views on a specific issue in an effort to attain mutual understanding.”
While there is a fixed agenda for the forum, the inclusion of the “democratic experience in Fiji” should provide the space for such a frank exchange of views. However for any “exchange” to take place, those sitting at the table on which the future of Fiji rests need to practice active listening – taking onboard what other parties are saying, rather merely waiting for their chance to speak.
The decision to include 15 representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations is also to be commended. Although the process in which these representatives will be chosen may be somewhat flawed, the fact that they are being given room at the table allows more voices, particularly of women, young people and all minority communities to be heard by those who will shape the future of our country.
At this point the question that needs to be asked is, what about the largest non-governmental and civil society organisations in the country – the faith-based organisations? The Methodist Church can be seen as Fiji’s largest civil society organisation, and with other churches and religious organisations probably have the biggest mandate out of any other CSO or NGO. Will their voices also be heard?
After all, as Jane Goodall, the British anthropologist, wrote “Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right.”
St. James wrote, "The wisdom that is from above is... peaceable" (James 3:17 NKJV). In “The Message,” Eugene Peterson paraphrases this Scripture: "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterised by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.
Our representatives to the PPDF can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoys its results only if they do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honour" (James 3:17-18 TM). Notice, getting along with others can be "hard work".
To those who have the accepted the responsibility to genuinely enter into dialogue with those you would not normally sit at the table with, if you find yourself getting worked up about some issue, ask yourself, "If I give in to these emotions what will the result be?" When you're stressed out you lose your joy, and when you lose your joy you lose your strength because "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV). So those who will speak and listen for us at the PPDF need to pray, exercise self-control, and keep their peace.
However one of the most important decisions in the build up to the PPDF is by the news media. Since 2006 the news media in Fiji has found itself struggling with its role as a channel of information for the public and having a peace /democracy agenda. If this process of dialogue is to truly bear a lasting fruit, journalists and editors need to ask themselves where their focus is. Is it going to be on little facts or a greater truth?
Little facts will rely on leaked information, comments while the dialogue forum is still underway – much the same as giving process reports on any experiment. The focus on the greater truth will look at the end result of the experiment and the outcomes of the dialogue process. The sharing of public views and information for the sake of transparency is a very important part of this process. At the same time the respecting of the boundaries of a “sacred space” in which people can safely and freely express themselves is also integral to this process.
There is much that can happen to compromise the dialogue process, by participants, supporters, observers and those merely waiting the outcome. However one thing is certain – we stand on the precipice, at the edge of the abyss. Only by building bridges of peace and unity can we hope to cross safely over to the new dawn that awaits the all people of Fiji.
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light, peace and the courage to be open to the views of those different from you.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Pierced Souls
On Saturday night the old dogs howled into the night. On Sunday morning, it took time for the church to fill up for the 7.30am service. My mother was sad that her favourite 7s player Peni Rokodiva was not able to play in the quarter finals. I even found myself using rugby metaphors in my sermon on “Prayer, Love and Service”. No one was even in the mood to joke that perhaps the Fiji team had given up the Melrose Cup for Lent.
Perhaps it was unfair for the unsuccessful 7's team that they carried to Dubai more than just the hopes of the rugby loving public for a back to back World Cup victory. They were burdened with the weight with the hopes of the entire nation – not just for victory but for anything positive on which we could cling to in these dark and uncertain times for Fiji.
A visitor this country recently asked me what kept us Fijians positive as we live under a totalitarian regime. After cautioning him to be wary of who he asked this question to - unless he wanted to be one of the few, the proud, the deported/expelled, I gave him my response. I first said that although we live in a “Coconut Republic, where election timetables, Public Service and Board appointments, and perhaps soon even laws are written in the sand; and the even though our children were now forced to make a pledge of allegiance, that could very well go against religious beliefs, and sing a national anthem that has yet to be translated into every language (including Rotuman and Chinese); I did not think that the current regime had reached the level of Stalin's dictatorship and his “Great Purge” of the late 1930's nor were we being commanded to call our fearless leader, “Der Fuhrer” - well not yet anyway.
But how do we keep positive? Well, we find joy and laughter in the smallest things, a silly commercial on television; any of our teams winning any sports match; the Phantom exacting “Jungle justice” in the comic section of the Fiji Times, and the like. We now cling to these small things more than ever, because, frankly speaking, that is all we've got.
We are not treated to powerful, emotive and inspiring speeches by our fearless leader, or any of his speech writers. There is not even any worthwhile propaganda that we can at least buy into, unless you count the NCCBF theme song.
That is why the Rugby Sevens World Cup meant so much to everyone. And why our unexpected loss has been perhaps more devastating to the national psyche than New Zealand's exit from the 15's World Cup in 2007, which sent many New Zealanders into depression and into psychotherapy. In Fiji we don't even have the luxury of feeling sorry for ourselves nor the money to pay for psychotherapy, so we drink kava, breaking many self imposed bans along the way, and complain about the team and the coach and the FRU.
On Saturday night, immediately after the Fiji vs Kenya game we switched to Serevi LIVE on Mai TV to see an emotional Dr. Serevi thank the team and their families for their sacrifice and enduring criticism in the build up to the tournament. Watching the dignity with which he responded to questions from Stanley Simpson and comments from the public, many of which were critical of the FRU and the management of the unsuccessful team, I reflected on what it was that made us as a nation pin our own personal hopes for the future on this sports tournament.
I believe that the political crisis in Fiji, has not just destroyed democracy, hacked away the role traditional institutions and attacked our right to not just the facts but the truth, it has also amputated the arms with which we can reach out to each other in peace, severed the tongues which cry out for mercy and justice. More importantly it has pierced our hearts and wounded our souls – the soul of this very nation.
It is because of this that it is not just the 7's team that was “clueless” (to borrow a word from Mr. Simpson at Seven) on the field against Kenya. Because the soul of the nation has been pierced, time and time again by those who are either responsible for protecting it or for nourishing it – we have become a clueless nation. Drifting on the tide.
The same visitor who asked me about our nation's positivity, asked me about the leaders of tomorrow. Those who could offer a fresh perspective, a new style of leadership that was less about struggling for power, and more about healing the wounded soul of our nation. A leadership that was less about doing what they wanted and more about listening to the people. A leadership that had learned from the mistakes of the past.
To you my brothers and sisters of Fiji, I tell you where such a leader can be found. You can see them any time you want to, without even making an appointment. All you have to do is take a long hard look in the mirror. Each one of you is that leader. It's up to you to start acting like one.
May your week be blessed with love, light, peace and the courage to respond to the cry of the wounded soul of our nation!
Fathers and Daughters
Last night my small family gathered together for a time of devotion and reflection as we remembered the death of my father, Benjamin Bhagwan, five years ago. As we began our devotion, it dawned on me that my two older sisters, Lois and Sharon were away; both overseas in the line of duty, so to speak.
My relationship with my father, as an only son was of course very special. However I never could understand the way my father doted on his two daughters, until of course my own daughter, “Cyclone” Antonia, was born. As much my “ballerina princess” fights with me and chooses her mother over me in everything except giving her treats, I understand why my father adored his two girls, no matter how difficult they were. I also understand why my father was tempted to erect a barbed wire fence around our compound and caused many young men of Lautoka to walk quickly by our house (on the other side of the road),when his little girls began to blossom into the beautiful women they are today.
Given the situation our country, with the stories of rape, child abuse and incest constantly being brought to our attention, I am often tempted to enact security measures for my three-year old girl that would put our Fearless Leader's triple layer of personal protection to shame. Thankfully my “ballerina princess” is also a “warrior princess,” as her older brother is reminded on a regular basis.
Last week I received an email about an initiative called the Father and Daughter Alliance (FADA).
The “Father and Daughter Alliance (FADA) is a team of traditional and concerned family men/fathers who have seen the light on these issues, appealing to the father’s heart in other men in developing countries so they can help their daughters and other girls enroll and complete primary education and then access the same educational, economic and societal opportunities as boys.
Girls account for more than one half of the approximately 75 million children out of school. Though major gains have been made to narrow the gap in girls education, the World Bank states that “in developing countries, girls lag behind boys” and “many more girls drop out along the way than boys.”
The reasons why? Girls have to take care of relatives as well as cook for, serve or work for their families. Then there is the lack of appropriate sanitary/bathroom facilities, sexual harassment, adverse cultural practices and distance to schools.
It is also partly because of this lack of education, that many girls end up in domestic servitude, early marriage, abused and/or neglected, trafficked and prostituted, genitally mutilated, unable to access opportunities and continually dependent on others for all their needs.
Of the 774 million illiterate adults worldwide, 64% of them are women. Thus the vicious circle continues, particularly as countries move toward a knowledge society, since an illiterate mother is far less likely to send her daughters to school.
In her book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician, asserts that teenage girls are twice as likely to stay in school if their fathers are involved in their lives.
So far, the heavy burden in the struggle for girls’ education has been carried mostly by women in conjunction with NGOs, governments and multi-lateral organizations, and they have done heroic work with amazing results. But, more work is needed.
Men in the meantime have stayed on the sidelines. As we approach International Women's Day on Sunday, March 8th, let us respond to the need for traditional, and even religious family men/fathers who have seen the light on these issues to get involved and help those other men see the advantage of allowing and encouraging their daughters and other girls to access education, and eventually economic assets, and opportunities socially and politically.
For more information log on to: www.globalfada.org
This Friday, Christians around the world will commemorate the World Day of Prayer, prepared by women of Papua New Guinea on the theme, “In Christ We are Many Members Yet One Body.” In their different churches, of different denominations in different countries, they will remember that though divided by geography, language, dogma and doctrine, they are all part of the same Mystical Body of Christ.
Let us this weekend, in the midst of our Rugby Sevens World Cup hype, remember that we are one nation, and as men and women, equal members of the human race – the only “race” that matters.
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light and peace - for both women and men and all children.
My relationship with my father, as an only son was of course very special. However I never could understand the way my father doted on his two daughters, until of course my own daughter, “Cyclone” Antonia, was born. As much my “ballerina princess” fights with me and chooses her mother over me in everything except giving her treats, I understand why my father adored his two girls, no matter how difficult they were. I also understand why my father was tempted to erect a barbed wire fence around our compound and caused many young men of Lautoka to walk quickly by our house (on the other side of the road),when his little girls began to blossom into the beautiful women they are today.
Given the situation our country, with the stories of rape, child abuse and incest constantly being brought to our attention, I am often tempted to enact security measures for my three-year old girl that would put our Fearless Leader's triple layer of personal protection to shame. Thankfully my “ballerina princess” is also a “warrior princess,” as her older brother is reminded on a regular basis.
Last week I received an email about an initiative called the Father and Daughter Alliance (FADA).
The “Father and Daughter Alliance (FADA) is a team of traditional and concerned family men/fathers who have seen the light on these issues, appealing to the father’s heart in other men in developing countries so they can help their daughters and other girls enroll and complete primary education and then access the same educational, economic and societal opportunities as boys.
Girls account for more than one half of the approximately 75 million children out of school. Though major gains have been made to narrow the gap in girls education, the World Bank states that “in developing countries, girls lag behind boys” and “many more girls drop out along the way than boys.”
The reasons why? Girls have to take care of relatives as well as cook for, serve or work for their families. Then there is the lack of appropriate sanitary/bathroom facilities, sexual harassment, adverse cultural practices and distance to schools.
It is also partly because of this lack of education, that many girls end up in domestic servitude, early marriage, abused and/or neglected, trafficked and prostituted, genitally mutilated, unable to access opportunities and continually dependent on others for all their needs.
Of the 774 million illiterate adults worldwide, 64% of them are women. Thus the vicious circle continues, particularly as countries move toward a knowledge society, since an illiterate mother is far less likely to send her daughters to school.
In her book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician, asserts that teenage girls are twice as likely to stay in school if their fathers are involved in their lives.
So far, the heavy burden in the struggle for girls’ education has been carried mostly by women in conjunction with NGOs, governments and multi-lateral organizations, and they have done heroic work with amazing results. But, more work is needed.
Men in the meantime have stayed on the sidelines. As we approach International Women's Day on Sunday, March 8th, let us respond to the need for traditional, and even religious family men/fathers who have seen the light on these issues to get involved and help those other men see the advantage of allowing and encouraging their daughters and other girls to access education, and eventually economic assets, and opportunities socially and politically.
For more information log on to: www.globalfada.org
This Friday, Christians around the world will commemorate the World Day of Prayer, prepared by women of Papua New Guinea on the theme, “In Christ We are Many Members Yet One Body.” In their different churches, of different denominations in different countries, they will remember that though divided by geography, language, dogma and doctrine, they are all part of the same Mystical Body of Christ.
Let us this weekend, in the midst of our Rugby Sevens World Cup hype, remember that we are one nation, and as men and women, equal members of the human race – the only “race” that matters.
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light and peace - for both women and men and all children.
Sacrificing Our Egos
Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. From early this morning Christians have been attending Ash Wednesday masses and special services, with many being marked with a cross of ash on their forehead as a sign of repentance.
During this time many Christians will give up many things. Some will stop smoking, or drinking kava, or other drinks. Some will give up chocolate, some meat, while others will fast from sunrise to sunset.
The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has also called on its members to fast and pray for the Church and the Nation during the month of March. For members and clergy alike, this commitment to fasting and abstaining from the consumption of kava will be put to the test daily and especially on weekends and during the upcoming Rugby 7's World Cup. The challenge will be faced by those who prefer to put tradition and culture ahead of their faith.
I reflected on the significance and challenges Christians face during the Lenten period as I prepared my sermon for tonight's Ash Wednesday Service at Dudley Methodist Church (7pm, corner of Amy Street and Toorak Road – All Welcome).
The most difficult thing I find during this period of introspection, self denial, repentance and sacrifice is that sometimes we often goes through the motions without committing ourselves to the deeper significance. Or we do the bare minimum required of us and feel as if we have paid our dues. We may fast all day and yet feast all night. We may give up many things but we find it very difficult to sacrifice our pride or our arrogance.
Jesus asks us (Matt 9:13) to learn the meaning of the statement, “I desire mercy not sacrifice,” (Hosea 6:6). What is the point of our fasting and denying ourselves of material excesses when we still allow our egos to get in the way of our relationship with others?
I address those of our nation's leaders, popular and usurper alike, who are Christian:
Are you willing to sacrifice your ego this Lenten season?
Are you willing to sacrifice hidden agendas and sit around the table to enter into dialogue and find a way forward for this nation?
Are you willing to sacrifice your own status and authority for the sake of those who have neither status no power?
Are you willing to sacrifice your fears in order that the hopes of others may live?
Are you willing to sacrifice your might for peace?
To those who today will pledge themselves to fast or sacrifice for the next six weeks until Easter Sunday:
Will you sacrifice your prejudice and really love your neighbour?
Will you sacrifice your thirst for revenge in order to receive mercy and forgiveness yourself?
In the Bible we read of Lamech, who was a descendent of Cain, one of Adam's sons. Now when Cain killed his brother Abel, God put a mark on him, saying that if anyone killed Cain they'd pay for it seven times over. One day somebody hurt Lamech, so he gave in to resentment, killed the offender, and said, "I have killed a man for wounding me... If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times" (Gen 4:23-24 NIV). In Lamech's mind he was absolutely justified. The man who did him wrong had it coming.
The philosophy of Lamech is: if you hurt me, I'll hurt you. And not just once, but seventy-seven times over. The spirit of revenge is never satisfied. Simply stated: It doesn't work!
Like Lamech, Peter had been hurt by someone close to him, and it happened more than once. So he went to Jesus and asked, "How many times do I have to forgive this man? Seven times?" (Matt 18:21 NIV). Peter thought he was being extremely generous and expected Jesus to pat him on the back. So he probably wasn't too pleased when Jesus deflated his ego by saying he must forgive the offender, "not seven times, but seventy-seven times" (Matt 18:21 NIV). Where did Jesus get that number? From the Old Testament. Jesus knew the Scriptures well so He chose it deliberately. He was doing away with the philosophy of Lamech! "Peter, you can follow in the footsteps of Lamech and retaliate, or you can follow Me and keep extending forgiveness - but you can't do both!"
This Lenten season, let us sacrifice our egos on the altar of peace and reconciliation.
May the rest of your week be blessed with light, love, peace and the desire to put service before self.
During this time many Christians will give up many things. Some will stop smoking, or drinking kava, or other drinks. Some will give up chocolate, some meat, while others will fast from sunrise to sunset.
The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has also called on its members to fast and pray for the Church and the Nation during the month of March. For members and clergy alike, this commitment to fasting and abstaining from the consumption of kava will be put to the test daily and especially on weekends and during the upcoming Rugby 7's World Cup. The challenge will be faced by those who prefer to put tradition and culture ahead of their faith.
I reflected on the significance and challenges Christians face during the Lenten period as I prepared my sermon for tonight's Ash Wednesday Service at Dudley Methodist Church (7pm, corner of Amy Street and Toorak Road – All Welcome).
The most difficult thing I find during this period of introspection, self denial, repentance and sacrifice is that sometimes we often goes through the motions without committing ourselves to the deeper significance. Or we do the bare minimum required of us and feel as if we have paid our dues. We may fast all day and yet feast all night. We may give up many things but we find it very difficult to sacrifice our pride or our arrogance.
Jesus asks us (Matt 9:13) to learn the meaning of the statement, “I desire mercy not sacrifice,” (Hosea 6:6). What is the point of our fasting and denying ourselves of material excesses when we still allow our egos to get in the way of our relationship with others?
I address those of our nation's leaders, popular and usurper alike, who are Christian:
Are you willing to sacrifice your ego this Lenten season?
Are you willing to sacrifice hidden agendas and sit around the table to enter into dialogue and find a way forward for this nation?
Are you willing to sacrifice your own status and authority for the sake of those who have neither status no power?
Are you willing to sacrifice your fears in order that the hopes of others may live?
Are you willing to sacrifice your might for peace?
To those who today will pledge themselves to fast or sacrifice for the next six weeks until Easter Sunday:
Will you sacrifice your prejudice and really love your neighbour?
Will you sacrifice your thirst for revenge in order to receive mercy and forgiveness yourself?
In the Bible we read of Lamech, who was a descendent of Cain, one of Adam's sons. Now when Cain killed his brother Abel, God put a mark on him, saying that if anyone killed Cain they'd pay for it seven times over. One day somebody hurt Lamech, so he gave in to resentment, killed the offender, and said, "I have killed a man for wounding me... If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times" (Gen 4:23-24 NIV). In Lamech's mind he was absolutely justified. The man who did him wrong had it coming.
The philosophy of Lamech is: if you hurt me, I'll hurt you. And not just once, but seventy-seven times over. The spirit of revenge is never satisfied. Simply stated: It doesn't work!
Like Lamech, Peter had been hurt by someone close to him, and it happened more than once. So he went to Jesus and asked, "How many times do I have to forgive this man? Seven times?" (Matt 18:21 NIV). Peter thought he was being extremely generous and expected Jesus to pat him on the back. So he probably wasn't too pleased when Jesus deflated his ego by saying he must forgive the offender, "not seven times, but seventy-seven times" (Matt 18:21 NIV). Where did Jesus get that number? From the Old Testament. Jesus knew the Scriptures well so He chose it deliberately. He was doing away with the philosophy of Lamech! "Peter, you can follow in the footsteps of Lamech and retaliate, or you can follow Me and keep extending forgiveness - but you can't do both!"
This Lenten season, let us sacrifice our egos on the altar of peace and reconciliation.
May the rest of your week be blessed with light, love, peace and the desire to put service before self.
Perseverence
Recently I read an article in which the author referred to Fiji as in danger of becoming the “Burma of the South Pacific.” I was reflecting on this as I sorted through some books over the weekend when I found an old favourite, “Tales Worth Telling,” by Asian evangelist, G.D. James. In this book, given to me by my late father, when I found an interesting short story that resonated with the article that I had just read. However after reading, laughing and putting it aside to include in this week's column, it was promptly repositioned by either the matron of the house, or her “energizer bunny” of a grandson. Below then is my interpretation of the story:
The benevolent dictator of a developing country was walking along a river, when he saw a shiny coin at the bottom of the river. Thinking the river shallow enough he waded in but soon found himself out of his depth. Soon treading water in combat boots began to tire him out and just as he was about to go under, three little boys passed by and, seeing a man about to drown, jumped in to help and succeeded in pulling the man to the bank of the river. The rescued man was so happy to be alive he promised the three boys anything they asked for.
“I would like a bicycle please,” said the first boy.
“I would like a bicycle too please,” said the second boy.
“And I suppose you would like a bicycle too,” said the soaking wet dictator to the third boy.
“Actually, I would like a military funeral, if you don't mind. I'm sure you can arrange that,” replied the third boy.
“Of course I can arrange it,” said the dictator, “but why on earth would you want one?”
“Because,” answered the boy, “when my parents find out who I just helped rescue, they're gonna kill me!”
As someone who believes himself to have heard and is doing his best to respond to the call to speak truth to power and act for and in peace, one of my personal struggles in trying to understand our political situation in Fiji continues to be the concept of a Just War and the Doctrine of Necessity. As human beings who for the most, yearn to live in peace and harmony with each other, the question is, “Do the ends justify the means, or a the means and methods used just as important as the desired result.”While for me the answer is and always will be the latter, I understand than many of us may wrestle with this question for a long time.
Recently someone labelled me a hypocrite for supporting a peaceful resolution to the current political, social and cultural conflict in Fiji and a return to democracy, while still often wearing a polo shirt given to me during my visit to the 2FIR “Fiji Batt”in Sinai as part of a visit to the Holy Land. I point out to them that it was a gift given in love and appreciation for a sermon I preached and as a fellow Fijian in the Holy Land. It is one of the only souvenirs that I have to mark this pilgrimage and I remain firm in my support of the peacekeeping role and abilities of the RFMF, although I continue to pray for the same level of peaceful negotiation, conciliation, and compassion which they display as Observers in the Sinai Peninsula, could be practised in their own homeland which they rule through superior force.
I then asked my accuser, if he had a Fiji rugby jersey. As a die-hard Fiji fan, his response was a resolute “yes!” accompanied by the sort of look reserved for members of the family who are a little “slow on the uptake”, or to coin a common Fijian expression, “tubelight.” He challenged me by asking if I also had one, and I professed my allegiance by regaling him with a rather long and winding story about how my dear mother-in-law had given me one as a gift and how I wore it with pride in England.
“So what's your point?” asked my now curious accuser (and possibly you the curious reader). I asked him what he thought of the recent situation at FRU House regarding Serervi, the Fiji Sevens team and their recent Serevi-less performance. Once my accuser vented his frustration and calmed down. He asked me again, “So what's your point?”I asked him if he still cheered for Fiji during the recent IRB Sevens tournaments. He answered, “Of course!” I asked him if he still wore his Fiji rugby jersey when he watched. The answer was the same. I responded, “It's the same with me, we may not like the coach or the management, or the members of the team and all the problems they have at home, but when they go out to represent the country, we support them all the way.” I'm not sure whether the look in his eyes, as he walked away, was one of illumination or confusion.
US President Abraham Lincoln once said, “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. commented that this statement was an example of “the power of redemptive love.” But loving our enemies is a very difficult thing to do. We may do it once, we may do it twice but if our enemies continue to treat us badly, it becomes harder and harder to keep loving them. Initially we may speak truth in love, but eventually it becomes truth in anger, and things spoken in anger, even the truth are often received in the same anger.
So for us to love our enemies, to remain kind and conciliar in the face of oppression, repression and somewhat forced liberation, requires perseverance. The kind of perseverance that can last five or ten years.
An obstacle of persevering in the face is of adversity is the fact that many of us have a lifestyle of giving up, of apathy. A little boy was promised an ice cream cone if he was good while accompanying his grandfather on some errands. The longer they were gone the more difficult the boy was finding it to be good. "How much longer will it be?" he asked. "Not too long," replied the grandfather, "we've just got one more stop." "I don't know if I can make it, Grandpa," the little boy said. "I can be good. I just can't be good enough long enough." As children we can get away with that, but not as mature people, and certainly not if we expect to succeed in what God's called us to do. We are a people who live with hope. We must continue to hold on to hope.
Key to perseverance is resiliency. Harvard professor George Vaillant identifies resiliency as a significant characteristic of people who navigate the different seasons of life from birth to old age. In his book Aging Well he writes, "Resilient people are like a twig with a fresh, green, living core. When twisted out of shape the twig bends but it doesn't break; instead it springs back and continues growing." That's an excellent description of perseverance. Another is the coconut tree. It gets knocked back and forth by the cyclones we face, but it never breaks. We must not become dry, brittle and inflexible. We must draw on God's grace and endeavour to bounce back no matter how we feel.
World champion boxer Mohammad Ali said, "Champions aren't made in the gyms, they are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have last-minute stamina. They have to be a little faster, and they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light, and peace!
The benevolent dictator of a developing country was walking along a river, when he saw a shiny coin at the bottom of the river. Thinking the river shallow enough he waded in but soon found himself out of his depth. Soon treading water in combat boots began to tire him out and just as he was about to go under, three little boys passed by and, seeing a man about to drown, jumped in to help and succeeded in pulling the man to the bank of the river. The rescued man was so happy to be alive he promised the three boys anything they asked for.
“I would like a bicycle please,” said the first boy.
“I would like a bicycle too please,” said the second boy.
“And I suppose you would like a bicycle too,” said the soaking wet dictator to the third boy.
“Actually, I would like a military funeral, if you don't mind. I'm sure you can arrange that,” replied the third boy.
“Of course I can arrange it,” said the dictator, “but why on earth would you want one?”
“Because,” answered the boy, “when my parents find out who I just helped rescue, they're gonna kill me!”
As someone who believes himself to have heard and is doing his best to respond to the call to speak truth to power and act for and in peace, one of my personal struggles in trying to understand our political situation in Fiji continues to be the concept of a Just War and the Doctrine of Necessity. As human beings who for the most, yearn to live in peace and harmony with each other, the question is, “Do the ends justify the means, or a the means and methods used just as important as the desired result.”While for me the answer is and always will be the latter, I understand than many of us may wrestle with this question for a long time.
Recently someone labelled me a hypocrite for supporting a peaceful resolution to the current political, social and cultural conflict in Fiji and a return to democracy, while still often wearing a polo shirt given to me during my visit to the 2FIR “Fiji Batt”in Sinai as part of a visit to the Holy Land. I point out to them that it was a gift given in love and appreciation for a sermon I preached and as a fellow Fijian in the Holy Land. It is one of the only souvenirs that I have to mark this pilgrimage and I remain firm in my support of the peacekeeping role and abilities of the RFMF, although I continue to pray for the same level of peaceful negotiation, conciliation, and compassion which they display as Observers in the Sinai Peninsula, could be practised in their own homeland which they rule through superior force.
I then asked my accuser, if he had a Fiji rugby jersey. As a die-hard Fiji fan, his response was a resolute “yes!” accompanied by the sort of look reserved for members of the family who are a little “slow on the uptake”, or to coin a common Fijian expression, “tubelight.” He challenged me by asking if I also had one, and I professed my allegiance by regaling him with a rather long and winding story about how my dear mother-in-law had given me one as a gift and how I wore it with pride in England.
“So what's your point?” asked my now curious accuser (and possibly you the curious reader). I asked him what he thought of the recent situation at FRU House regarding Serervi, the Fiji Sevens team and their recent Serevi-less performance. Once my accuser vented his frustration and calmed down. He asked me again, “So what's your point?”I asked him if he still cheered for Fiji during the recent IRB Sevens tournaments. He answered, “Of course!” I asked him if he still wore his Fiji rugby jersey when he watched. The answer was the same. I responded, “It's the same with me, we may not like the coach or the management, or the members of the team and all the problems they have at home, but when they go out to represent the country, we support them all the way.” I'm not sure whether the look in his eyes, as he walked away, was one of illumination or confusion.
US President Abraham Lincoln once said, “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. commented that this statement was an example of “the power of redemptive love.” But loving our enemies is a very difficult thing to do. We may do it once, we may do it twice but if our enemies continue to treat us badly, it becomes harder and harder to keep loving them. Initially we may speak truth in love, but eventually it becomes truth in anger, and things spoken in anger, even the truth are often received in the same anger.
So for us to love our enemies, to remain kind and conciliar in the face of oppression, repression and somewhat forced liberation, requires perseverance. The kind of perseverance that can last five or ten years.
An obstacle of persevering in the face is of adversity is the fact that many of us have a lifestyle of giving up, of apathy. A little boy was promised an ice cream cone if he was good while accompanying his grandfather on some errands. The longer they were gone the more difficult the boy was finding it to be good. "How much longer will it be?" he asked. "Not too long," replied the grandfather, "we've just got one more stop." "I don't know if I can make it, Grandpa," the little boy said. "I can be good. I just can't be good enough long enough." As children we can get away with that, but not as mature people, and certainly not if we expect to succeed in what God's called us to do. We are a people who live with hope. We must continue to hold on to hope.
Key to perseverance is resiliency. Harvard professor George Vaillant identifies resiliency as a significant characteristic of people who navigate the different seasons of life from birth to old age. In his book Aging Well he writes, "Resilient people are like a twig with a fresh, green, living core. When twisted out of shape the twig bends but it doesn't break; instead it springs back and continues growing." That's an excellent description of perseverance. Another is the coconut tree. It gets knocked back and forth by the cyclones we face, but it never breaks. We must not become dry, brittle and inflexible. We must draw on God's grace and endeavour to bounce back no matter how we feel.
World champion boxer Mohammad Ali said, "Champions aren't made in the gyms, they are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have last-minute stamina. They have to be a little faster, and they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light, and peace!
A Saqamoli for Your Thoughts
I am sure that many of us a grateful for the fact that there is no such thing as the Thought Police here in Fiji. We may be punished for our written and spoken words, our meetings or marches, perhaps even our You-Tube broadcasts; but as yet the Public Order Act, Public Service regulations, and other ad hoc means of censure have yet to design a means of detecting and apprehending thoughts that go against the thoughts of the ruling junta and its fearless leader.
A number of books and films, point to the future in which thoughts and intentions are not only monitored but controlled. While, this is yet to happen, in Fiji at least. It's not hard to see where this would lead us.
Could, for example, the coups of 1987, 2000 and 2006 been prevented, had we known what was being thought by the “masterminds”. Could the recent centipede attack which has delayed our elections been avoided, had the victim known the intention of the centipede in question. Would the relatives of happily newly-wed couple from Qauia have filed the missing persons' report if they had bothered to read the mind of the couple, or in fact realised that most couples do not sit down and drink grog or whatever with their friends on the evening of their marriage.
If a thought monitoring system was introduced, would the statement “a penny for your thoughts” be contextualised into “a saqamoli for your thoughts” and then actualised into a thought-tax or thought fine depending on what you thought of the current regime. This may have been the thinking behind the much discussed back-pay or the much deferred pay-rise.
Reality is such, that too often we have experienced, and on occasion are guilty ourselves of, one thing being done or said while another thing is being thought. We call the art of discerning what is thought from what is said or written or done, “being able to read between the lines” or in literary and dramatic circles “read the subtext”. Some legal eagles, interim or otherwise, refer to it as “reading the small print”(in our current situation the small print can only be read by reversing the Hubble Telescope).
I suggest that if we gave this process some serious thought (no pun intended – I think), we could begin to really understand the apparent contradictions by our fearless leaders.
For example, if those affected by the floods could read the minds of the junta, they might be able to understand why despite having a military-run government, the military – did not immediately deploy its extremely capable sappers (engineers) and other troops to assist during and following the natural disaster. They might have been able to find out whether the junta can only think of one type of clean-up at a time.
We, the people, would know through this process, that when the “March '09” election promise was made, our fearless leader was actually thinking “March '19,” or perhaps he was thinking that in March '09 he would make an announcement about when he actually thought elections might possibly be held, or be given further thought.
If journalists could read the minds of those they interview, they would not find themselves being attacked for misquoting. If Russell Hunter, Evan Hannah and Rex Gardiner could read the minds of the Government, they would have booked their tickets, said their goodbyes and had time to do some duty-free shopping before being “expelled”.
If the Auditor-General could read the minds of the Military he would be able to understand how (and hopefully why) they processed their fearless leader's back pay. If we could read Mr. Vatuloka's mind he wouldn't even have to make his report public.
Perhaps we would know whose words are being spoken by whom. Our fearless leaders would not have needed a Charter process or even response form as they would be able to know exactly what people thought of the Charter.
FICAC could save time by frog-marching all those under investigation and charge them for thinking in a corrupt manner.
There is a famous saying that “the mind is a terrible thing to waste”. It is usually used in reference to those who drop out of school, abuse various substances (although not many dare apply it to those minds wasted by excessive kava-drinking) or turn to a life of crime. However, many of us who consider ourselves educated, intelligent or wise waste our thoughts. Einstein, I believe, once said, “Small minds discuss people. Medium minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas.” If this is the case then perhaps the greatest waste is those great minds that discuss ideas which only serve the interests of a few.
But we are also a nation of great non-thinkers, of people who like to speak before thinking. The lesson of “engaging the brain before opening the mouth” has been lost on many who, to use a non-military term, prefer to “shoot from the hip” or perhaps “fire from the lips”.
Just as physically we may be what we eat, so psychologically we may just be what we think. If we continue to think of ourselves as oppressed and powerless, should we be surprised when leaders act like tyrants and despots?
We may like to think that while we may be able to control our actions and our speech, we cannot control our thoughts. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Nineteen-year-old Liu Shih-Kun was an esteemed concert pianist in China until the Cultural Revolution banned all things of Western influence. Refusing to renounce his beloved music, Liu was deemed an enemy of the people, beaten and imprisoned. There he languished in a tiny cell with no books, no paper, and even worse - no piano.
Six years later, for propaganda reasons, he was asked to play in Beijing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After years without an instrument to practise on, he performed brilliantly. And 18 months later when he was finally released, he again played flawlessly. That Liu survived is remarkable; that his hands continued to move as if they'd never stopped playing is amazing.
His secret? Stripped of everything musical, for seven and a half years Liu disciplined himself to shut out negative thoughts and practise hour after hour on an imaginary piano.
In a country that craves, peace, reconciliation and a united positive future, how many of us practice thinking positively, practice peace and imagine a reconciled and united nation to the extent that we can manifest it in reality when the opportunity comes?
A well respected counsellor says: "We don't realise the extent to which our own thinking contributes to our mental anguish. The earlier you stop 'thought attacks' the easier it is to regroup and get back on track.
Now, while the concept is simple, it's not easy to implement. Once you start paying attention you'll probably discover you have a lot more 'thought attacks' than you can possibly imagine." Police shout "Freeze!" when they want to stop a suspect and protect themselves. And you can freeze out harmful thinking by capturing every thought and making it "obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5 NIV). Paul says: "This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with... spiritual forces" (Eph 6:12 GWT).
Your thoughts have power. To win over them, you must submit to Christ and control what you allow your mind to dwell on.
Think about it.
May the rest of your week be blessed with light, love, peace and positive thoughts.
A number of books and films, point to the future in which thoughts and intentions are not only monitored but controlled. While, this is yet to happen, in Fiji at least. It's not hard to see where this would lead us.
Could, for example, the coups of 1987, 2000 and 2006 been prevented, had we known what was being thought by the “masterminds”. Could the recent centipede attack which has delayed our elections been avoided, had the victim known the intention of the centipede in question. Would the relatives of happily newly-wed couple from Qauia have filed the missing persons' report if they had bothered to read the mind of the couple, or in fact realised that most couples do not sit down and drink grog or whatever with their friends on the evening of their marriage.
If a thought monitoring system was introduced, would the statement “a penny for your thoughts” be contextualised into “a saqamoli for your thoughts” and then actualised into a thought-tax or thought fine depending on what you thought of the current regime. This may have been the thinking behind the much discussed back-pay or the much deferred pay-rise.
Reality is such, that too often we have experienced, and on occasion are guilty ourselves of, one thing being done or said while another thing is being thought. We call the art of discerning what is thought from what is said or written or done, “being able to read between the lines” or in literary and dramatic circles “read the subtext”. Some legal eagles, interim or otherwise, refer to it as “reading the small print”(in our current situation the small print can only be read by reversing the Hubble Telescope).
I suggest that if we gave this process some serious thought (no pun intended – I think), we could begin to really understand the apparent contradictions by our fearless leaders.
For example, if those affected by the floods could read the minds of the junta, they might be able to understand why despite having a military-run government, the military – did not immediately deploy its extremely capable sappers (engineers) and other troops to assist during and following the natural disaster. They might have been able to find out whether the junta can only think of one type of clean-up at a time.
We, the people, would know through this process, that when the “March '09” election promise was made, our fearless leader was actually thinking “March '19,” or perhaps he was thinking that in March '09 he would make an announcement about when he actually thought elections might possibly be held, or be given further thought.
If journalists could read the minds of those they interview, they would not find themselves being attacked for misquoting. If Russell Hunter, Evan Hannah and Rex Gardiner could read the minds of the Government, they would have booked their tickets, said their goodbyes and had time to do some duty-free shopping before being “expelled”.
If the Auditor-General could read the minds of the Military he would be able to understand how (and hopefully why) they processed their fearless leader's back pay. If we could read Mr. Vatuloka's mind he wouldn't even have to make his report public.
Perhaps we would know whose words are being spoken by whom. Our fearless leaders would not have needed a Charter process or even response form as they would be able to know exactly what people thought of the Charter.
FICAC could save time by frog-marching all those under investigation and charge them for thinking in a corrupt manner.
There is a famous saying that “the mind is a terrible thing to waste”. It is usually used in reference to those who drop out of school, abuse various substances (although not many dare apply it to those minds wasted by excessive kava-drinking) or turn to a life of crime. However, many of us who consider ourselves educated, intelligent or wise waste our thoughts. Einstein, I believe, once said, “Small minds discuss people. Medium minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas.” If this is the case then perhaps the greatest waste is those great minds that discuss ideas which only serve the interests of a few.
But we are also a nation of great non-thinkers, of people who like to speak before thinking. The lesson of “engaging the brain before opening the mouth” has been lost on many who, to use a non-military term, prefer to “shoot from the hip” or perhaps “fire from the lips”.
Just as physically we may be what we eat, so psychologically we may just be what we think. If we continue to think of ourselves as oppressed and powerless, should we be surprised when leaders act like tyrants and despots?
We may like to think that while we may be able to control our actions and our speech, we cannot control our thoughts. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Nineteen-year-old Liu Shih-Kun was an esteemed concert pianist in China until the Cultural Revolution banned all things of Western influence. Refusing to renounce his beloved music, Liu was deemed an enemy of the people, beaten and imprisoned. There he languished in a tiny cell with no books, no paper, and even worse - no piano.
Six years later, for propaganda reasons, he was asked to play in Beijing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After years without an instrument to practise on, he performed brilliantly. And 18 months later when he was finally released, he again played flawlessly. That Liu survived is remarkable; that his hands continued to move as if they'd never stopped playing is amazing.
His secret? Stripped of everything musical, for seven and a half years Liu disciplined himself to shut out negative thoughts and practise hour after hour on an imaginary piano.
In a country that craves, peace, reconciliation and a united positive future, how many of us practice thinking positively, practice peace and imagine a reconciled and united nation to the extent that we can manifest it in reality when the opportunity comes?
A well respected counsellor says: "We don't realise the extent to which our own thinking contributes to our mental anguish. The earlier you stop 'thought attacks' the easier it is to regroup and get back on track.
Now, while the concept is simple, it's not easy to implement. Once you start paying attention you'll probably discover you have a lot more 'thought attacks' than you can possibly imagine." Police shout "Freeze!" when they want to stop a suspect and protect themselves. And you can freeze out harmful thinking by capturing every thought and making it "obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5 NIV). Paul says: "This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with... spiritual forces" (Eph 6:12 GWT).
Your thoughts have power. To win over them, you must submit to Christ and control what you allow your mind to dwell on.
Think about it.
May the rest of your week be blessed with light, love, peace and positive thoughts.
Legacies of Service
Last week was perhaps the longest and most physically and emotionally draining week of my life. Not since 2004 when my beloved father, Benjamin Bhagwan, my close friend Tui Ravai and Fiji's (and the Pacific's) greatest statesman, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara died within weeks of each other. Last Friday I buried my uncle, Narendra Bhagwan, who loved me like the son he never had, and the following day I buried my mentor and close friend Alipate Mateitoga, who was the older brother I never had.
My uncle Narendra, worked in Morris Hedstrom for close to forty years, rising through the ranks to become the first local General Manager/CEO of the company. At the time of his death he was the acting Operations Manager of the Methodist Church's Trust Holdings, a member of the Church's Standing Committee and had served as Chief Steward of the Indian Division. One of the tributes given at his funeral was by the Hon. Pita Nacuva, former minister for Health and ousted Speaker of the House of Representatives former student of the then Suva Methodist Boys School and Lelean Memorial School. Mr. Nacuva spoke of the legacy of honesty, discipline and service instilled in him during his school years, by Narendra's father (my grandfather), the late Master J.S. Bhagwan.
In contrast, my brother Alipate (I call him brother because he was the only person outside my immediate family to call my mother, “mum” and not be reprimanded with a steely glare) was still in his prime at fifty-two. Even after his funeral and burial, many of his family and friends are still in shock. “Pate” as he was known by family, friends and colleagues had worked at Cable and Wireless (FINTEL) and Radio Fiji and was one of the few who were in William Parkinson's core team when FM96 was started. He was part of Australian Channel Nine's original “Fiji TV” team before the 1987 coup scuttled plans for the early introduction of television in Fiji. He joined the Hans Seidel Foundation based at 56 Domain Road which was to become the Fiji National Video Centre and is now the Ministry of Information's Film and Television Unit, where for many years he was the Prinicipal Information Officer and the driving force behind the Dateline Fiji, Voqa Ni Davui and Sitara programmes. Many of Fiji's television camera operators, producers and editors were inducted into the industry by Pate, who at the time of his death was the Acting Director of Information. A musician and recording engineer in his own right, Pate is also missed by the Fiji music industry as well as the JICA Alumni where he had served as its president for four years.
Like Pate, my uncle Naren had many acquaintances, but chose his friends carefully. It is only those closest to them who will really know what our country has lost through the passing away of these two sons of Fiji. Their compassion and genuine love and understanding for others was not advertised, known only by those who experienced it and those who chose to see it. Their humility was often taken advantage of as was their dedication to service, by those who view kindness as a weakness.
As I sat at home, with my eyes puffy from tears shed, and tried to express my thoughts, I found a story that may serve as an example of on the legacy of service and humility left behind by these two gentle men:
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a sales convention in another town.
They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples.
Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding.
All but one!
He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his friends to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, 'Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?' She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, 'I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly.'
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, 'Mister.....' He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued,
'Are you Jesus?'
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: 'Are you Jesus?' Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light and peace.
My uncle Narendra, worked in Morris Hedstrom for close to forty years, rising through the ranks to become the first local General Manager/CEO of the company. At the time of his death he was the acting Operations Manager of the Methodist Church's Trust Holdings, a member of the Church's Standing Committee and had served as Chief Steward of the Indian Division. One of the tributes given at his funeral was by the Hon. Pita Nacuva, former minister for Health and ousted Speaker of the House of Representatives former student of the then Suva Methodist Boys School and Lelean Memorial School. Mr. Nacuva spoke of the legacy of honesty, discipline and service instilled in him during his school years, by Narendra's father (my grandfather), the late Master J.S. Bhagwan.
In contrast, my brother Alipate (I call him brother because he was the only person outside my immediate family to call my mother, “mum” and not be reprimanded with a steely glare) was still in his prime at fifty-two. Even after his funeral and burial, many of his family and friends are still in shock. “Pate” as he was known by family, friends and colleagues had worked at Cable and Wireless (FINTEL) and Radio Fiji and was one of the few who were in William Parkinson's core team when FM96 was started. He was part of Australian Channel Nine's original “Fiji TV” team before the 1987 coup scuttled plans for the early introduction of television in Fiji. He joined the Hans Seidel Foundation based at 56 Domain Road which was to become the Fiji National Video Centre and is now the Ministry of Information's Film and Television Unit, where for many years he was the Prinicipal Information Officer and the driving force behind the Dateline Fiji, Voqa Ni Davui and Sitara programmes. Many of Fiji's television camera operators, producers and editors were inducted into the industry by Pate, who at the time of his death was the Acting Director of Information. A musician and recording engineer in his own right, Pate is also missed by the Fiji music industry as well as the JICA Alumni where he had served as its president for four years.
Like Pate, my uncle Naren had many acquaintances, but chose his friends carefully. It is only those closest to them who will really know what our country has lost through the passing away of these two sons of Fiji. Their compassion and genuine love and understanding for others was not advertised, known only by those who experienced it and those who chose to see it. Their humility was often taken advantage of as was their dedication to service, by those who view kindness as a weakness.
As I sat at home, with my eyes puffy from tears shed, and tried to express my thoughts, I found a story that may serve as an example of on the legacy of service and humility left behind by these two gentle men:
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a sales convention in another town.
They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples.
Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding.
All but one!
He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his friends to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, 'Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?' She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, 'I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly.'
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, 'Mister.....' He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued,
'Are you Jesus?'
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: 'Are you Jesus?' Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light and peace.
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