Let Jesus into our boat; the need of the hour for Naga
S Pahrü Sapa
Senapati
Naga at this juncture need our living God’s intervention. When we actually analyse the present situation, the Government of India is likely to please a group of people who for their position and wealth’s sake forsaking Nagas’ right. N. R. Ravi wants to throw the ball to Naga and want to wash His hand as Iscariot Judas did. The present scenario is really crucial because we are in cross road.
All true Nagas are voicing for our true identity. Our history cannot be construed by some opportunist or contemporary society. History is history; no one can change and shouldn’t change. Right from the formation of Naga club in 1918 after the France labour troops return from their mission, we are determined that we are Naga and not Indian. This club provided the socio-political foundation for the Naga nationalist movement. In 1929, the Club submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission, requesting that the Nagas should be given a choice of self-determination after the British departure from India. Even India knows that we are different people to India and Naga have its own history. In spite of our every right with unique history and identity our way isn’t working.
At this point of time, we need to bow our head before God and think over. We must humble before our living God and think ourselves why our way isn’t working? We have been struggling for these more than 7 decades. And even after more than 2 decades of dialogue not any break through are made so far. In recent talk reports, we were losing our hope instead of hoping for solution. The government of India wants to offer us meagre solution with some packages. We are losing our hope gradually regarding our Naga solution.
We were discouraged because our way isn’t working. And we tend to blame others for our failure. The Bible says about peter in Luke 5:4-5, “When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets’” (NIV).
Think about how hard it must have been for Simon Peter to admit failure to Jesus. He was a professional fisherman, and he was good at it. It was how he made his living. But sometimes he went fishing all night and catches nothing.
You know! Peter and friends were good guys, and they’re doing their best. But sometimes our best is not good enough, and sometimes there are situations that are out of our control. We can’t control the economy. We can’t control the weather. We can’t control a lot of things in life that will affect your life. We may have tried so hard but it just doesn’t seem to make any difference and we don’t have much to show for it. Why is it so hard for us to admit our way isn’t working?
1. Selfishness. We Nagas are almost losing our rice plate by our selfishness. Some of our brothers are trying to accumulate wealth in the name of Naga. It is noticed that some Naga workers are despising their own Naga brothers and sisters for their own gain.
2. Pride. We don’t want anybody to think we can’t handle it. We’re in charge. We’ve got it all together. We think we can handle everything by ourselves, even if it means working for whole life
3. Stubbornness. We’re unwilling to change the way we’re doing things. Did you know the greatest enemy of tomorrow’s success is yesterday’s success?
4. Fear. We can’t admit we’ve fished all night and caught nothing. We’re afraid that people will think less of us. We’re afraid to get Jesus into your boat because he’ll steer it in a direction we don’t want to go.
5. Disobedience. We fail to reap because we failed to sow. The Bible is all for our own good. Our obedience results in blessing. The Bible calls us to obey rather than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22
We may be doing our best in our struggle but just don’t seem to have much to show for it. We need to let go of our selfishness, pride, stubbornness, fear and disobedience so that Jesus can take our boat and fill it to overflow.
Jim Elliot who was killed when witnessing for Christ said, “He is not fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” And I am quoting here a saying of an unknown author. “When you are going through difficulty and wonder where God is, remember the teacher is always quiet during the test.” The words of Abraham Lincoln are worth to mention. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot enrich the poor by impoverishing the rich. You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage pay or. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
What do we need to do now?
First, we need to get Jesus into our boat. In other words, let Him be the centre of our struggle. Second, we have to admit that our way isn’t working. The Bible calls it confession. Now, let us humble ourselves before living God and He shall lift us up.
