Rev Loliro Kuotsu
Singapore
Two minutes before it was time for me to go up and preach on the last chapters of Job, I received a text from my sister that my aged parents and siblings had to “flee” from Kohima due to the eviction notice served on them by the Southern Angamis.
It hit me hard on many levels. I married an Angami and realized many are voiceless and helpless. I was born and raised in Kohima village and grew up feeling the fangs of tribalism. Even though I have moved thousands of miles away, I feel its sting in every part of my being as I relive it time and again every-time this issue rears its ugly head.
Even the secular world knows about the power of unity. Singapore just “brought” Taylor Swift into their country so that their neighbouring countries could also come and enjoy it too. Everyone who came benefited but Singapore benefited the most. Alas, despite our smallness, we are still chasing each other out and breaking ourselves into smaller pieces, creating our own Tower of Babel. We forget that our children our grandchildren will need to travel out and live with others too. My husband and I have taken care of many students who have come and gone through Singapore, including many Southern Angamis. In fact, we have earned many friends for life. I pray, the children of those who are behind these senseless acts will not have to suffer the consequences or go through the same fate, having to flee. I pray they will show grace and speak up as they have received grace from others.
During this season of Lent, as I think about what Christ had to endure and go through the painful way of suffering, it gives me hope that Christ died for the very atrocities and pain we inflict on each other. It’s been more than two thousand years and we have yet to understand the liberation that Christ has given to us. We have failed to understand that as believers, there is no Southern Angami or Mao in God’s sight. Bible says that if we are the body of Christ, when one part suffers, the rest will feel it too. It is surprising that many are oblivious and do not know that a part of their body is suffering. Could it be that they have been totally cut off that there is no sensation for them? Could it be that we are not believers at all!?
Lord, the curse of the Tower of Babel still haunts and threatens to divide us further. Have mercy on us and give us heavenly wisdom to know that the world belongs to you and not to us. If Dzükou could speak, it will say it belongs neither to man nor government. It belongs to you, Lord who will hold us accountable for all our actions today. Grant the leaders’ wisdom that they might be able to come to an agreement that benefits both sides and the public are not affected.
Like the Jews who waited for a Saviour and rejected when you came riding on a donkey, may we not reject you time and again. May we humble ourselves and greet you as our true Lord and master by obeying your command to love one another. May we not worship you with our lips while our hearts are far away from you. Thank you for the few, very few souls who are helping and providing a refuge for my displaced people. Hear and heal us so that when you return, you will find us united because of what Christ has done on the cross for our sins. Hear our prayers, Lord. Amen.
