Cherishing the Birth of a New Life

An infant of several hours old was found in a lavatory in a sub-district of Malang, East Java. The baby was a boy, weighing 1.9 kg.
Citizens in the neighborhood heard the cry of the newborn infant by the break of dawn. They found the baby, lying in the public lavatory, all drenched in feces and urine. Immediately, the premature baby was taken out of the lavatory, washed clean, and brought to the nearest midwife -- who then incubated and sent him to hospital.
The latest report stated that the couple who first found the infant were determined to adopt him, since they've got no children even now in their late 40's.
Very dramatic, isn't it?
It sounds very much like a movie scene, but worse -- this is a real-life incident!
It was obvious that whoever ditched the infant there must have meant to kill him. An innocent, sinless, newly born baby boy!
While many couples were so eager to expect the birth of a baby (some are willing to pay millions to get in-vitro), others are being ungrateful at the gift of a new life emerging from their own bodies.
Despite the cause of conception (disgraceful though it may be), pregnancy is a gift. A new life is a divine present. Even when the biological parents may not want it, others may desire and crave for the presence of a child in their homes.
I personally respect the efforts of private social institutions that help women undergoing unexpected (unwanted) pregnancy go through tough times and provide new parents for their newborn infants.
Let's help reducing the numbers of infant murder in this country. Every new life deserves a place in this world!

Somewhere Between Was and Am

A man sat underneath a tree
In the vast overgrowing city,
Among three huge shopping malls,
That stand on the space which once
Were children's playgrounds,
Mossy swamps and rice fields.

He was naked,
Despite the piece of cloth
Wrapping his loins.
His head was shaved,
Though not his beard.
Staring at the vehicles
Passing and honking before him,
There was barely light in his eyes.

The world around him
Spoke of things not perceived,
Screamed of intelligence unintelligible.
Too much...
Too harsh...
Hush...!

No longer could he hear
The sound of the rushing world.
No longer would he be able to see
The flashing lights before him.
Soon everything would fade.
Soon all would end.
By the end of the day,
As the sun set behind the skyscrapers,
The light would disappear,
And he would be gone,
Though he still was.

Then,

Peace.



---Shamantika---

[Upon my last visit to Surabaya, March 20, 2010]

When Empathy Fails

It is said that when others are in need or pain, we should response with empathy, not sympathy.
I agree – to some extent.
While there is a major difference in perspective between the two (empathy views the matter from the victim’s eyes, whereas sympathy views it from the beholder’s – which puts quite a contrast in the matter of understanding the problem), it is somewhat pitiable that our sense of empathy, as humans, is marred with imperfectness.
Take the example of Peter.
How did he respond to Jesus’ statement about His going to be betrayed into the hands of sinners, tortured and crucified – and on the third day be raised from the dead?
I love the way NIV puts it, “But Peter insisted EMPATHICALLY, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You’” (Mark 14:31).
Peter replied with his human empathy, which sprang forth out of the depth of his heart and emotion. Nevertheless, as we need to keep in mind, as true and noble as a man’s heart can be, we are imperfect beings who are not immune to failures and shortcomings.
When the moment of trial and crucifixion came, as Jesus had predicted, Peter disowned Him. Not once, but thrice! His empathy melted, and he quivered before the pointing finger of a maid!
What caused Peter’s denial?
Fear.
He feared the Jews. He feared the heat of torment. He feared that slow and excruciating way of dying upon the cross. And so, he abandoned his Master.
But Jesus endured to the end. Even after Peter’s denial, even after all His beloved disciples deserted Him and He had to die alone on Calvary, He remained true to His promise: that He would give His life as a ransom for mankind.
What motivated Jesus’ endurance?
Love.
When all else fails, God’s love stands firm to the end.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (I John 4:18).
It was God’s unfailing love that succeeded over all fear, pain, misery, and soared higher beyond our spheres of sorrow and despair.
And, for Peter, it was granted that he, too, was given the privilege to understand and receive this love of God that surpasses all understanding. It was after that moment of grace, as he accepted God’s love and sacrifice, that Peter was able to go through all trials and tribulations, and endured all sufferings for the sake of the Lord’s name – even to the death at the cross.
When empathy fails, look up to the cross of Calvary!
The love of God remains a safe anchor for eternity!

What Will We Do in the Afterlife?

Most people in our land go to cemeteries on certain days. They take flowers to spread on the graves and pray for the dead. Some even burn incense, food and fake money on them. The aim is clear: to show their respect for the dead and please or calm the spirit of their beloved ones that are now in the afterlife.
The members of the family or society who choose not to follow this rite will be scolded as disrespectful and without manners. They are many times accused of grieving the spirits of the dead.
Honestly, does anyone know what the dead are doing there in the afterlife?
None of you knows?
Well, I do.
Two years ago when my mother passed away, I was greatly disturbed by the fact that I was not present on the hour of her death. I thought to myself that she must have been waiting for me as she was departing – and I didn’t come to her side on the deathbed. I was worrying about her spirit not finding peace and rest there in the afterlife – and I told God my anxiety.
“Lord,” I whispered. “I need to know what Mom’s thinking right now while she’s by Your side. Is she thinking about me? Is she thinking about any particular matter?”
A few days later, I had a dream. It felt as real as any incident in the flesh under the sun.
In the dream, I was taken to an enormous ballroom that could hold thousands of people. The ballroom was full of light, and there they were holding a service.
The congregation was singing hymns, and I was surprised to see the one leading the song: my late pastor!
I was even more surprised at seeing my mother sitting on the third row from the podium, beautiful and healthy as she used to be before suffering from stroke!
“Mom! Mom, it’s me!” I immediately took the seat by her side.
But she didn’t answer.
“Mom?” I tried waving my hand before her eyes.
Still, she didn’t seem to notice. She was focused on singing and praising God.
She neither could see nor hear me, I thought to myself, completely bewildered.
Then, I saw the people sitting around her. I recognized the faces of women who once attended church long ago. I suddenly remembered: they all had died!
I leapt to my feet!
All the sudden I realized that the place I was visiting was not of the present world. It’s the afterlife!
With the new realization, I lifted up my face and scanned the ballroom.
There were many empty seats reserved for others whom hadn’t come yet. I saw people coming in through the huge, main door at the back of the ballroom, one by one they entered – and sat at the seats prepared for them.
I understood then, that the sermon hadn’t begun yet because they were waiting until the ballroom was full, until the number of all who died in the true faith to God was filled. They were waiting for the yet-living!
I stared back at my mother, who couldn’t stare back at me. My heart was filled with relief and joy, so great that I thought it would burst! I turned around to leave the ballroom, and the dream dissolved.
As I opened my eyes, fully realizing that I had returned to the present world, the world where we breathe and touch and smell and feel, I gave thanks to God.
Ever since that morning, I understand completely what the dead are thinking and doing in the afterlife. They are no longer burdened by the cares of material world: all such worries and problems have passed for them. All they care about is serving God for eternity. And while doing so, they are waiting for the rest of us to finally join them in everlasting peace.
Alright! Showing respect to the dead is not wrong. The fault lies at the paradigm that believes the dead are still concerned about life happening on Earth.
Trust me: they’ve wiped clear all thoughts of mortal life once they drew their last breath and went to the afterlife!

Indonesian Soap Opera (Sinetron) = Poison Candy?

In Indonesia, we call it sinetron.
In other countries, people know it as TV Soap Opera.
Why do they call it “soap” opera?
It’s because the majority of corporations sponsoring the sequels are soap manufacturers.
But that is not the underlying idea we’re discussing at present.
I personally am more concerned about the content of the programs compared to the sponsors behind the films.
For over the past two decade, the soap operas that sell most and gain the highest rating in Indonesia are those that carry the issues of love-affairs, divorces, premarital pregnancy, and disputes over family inheritance – spiced up with anger, vengeance, and tear-shedding at every turn of the act.
Perhaps it’s what people want to see. Perhaps it’s just their taste. And producers simply give the society what they desire. Movie-makers in Indonesia, after all, are companies with the goal of income-making in mind.
People merely like such programs because they rarely find them in real life.
Indonesians, just to keep in mind, are people with very simple mind and paradigm. We love peace. We love monotony in life. We do our routines just to make ends meet. We don’t fuss with too many plans for the future. We don’t find anticipation our nature. We flow with the current. We live life the way it is.
So when some programs show up offering us the other side of life, telling us how unjust and cruel one can treat others, we might as well watch with wonder and amazement. It’s like finding a purple camel in the middle of an oasis.
And our people like such amusement!
Since the majority of the society loves it, production houses keep producing such programs for years and years up to the present.
The programs sell. That’s the main interest.
But here we are now, twenty years after RCTI and SCTV, two of the first private television stations in Indonesia, were established.
Have we ever notice what’s going on as we look around?
• Divorces are taking place all over the land. People are so disrespectful toward marriage these days; they can easily divorce their spouse by phone!
• Love-affairs are nothing more than natural nowadays. And there’s no need to fuss about it.
• Premarital pregnancy no longer becomes a big deal. Actresses and actors in TV do it in real life anyway. So, that gives way to accepting free sex and adultery as part of daily life.
• People cheat to gain the greater (if not all) share of family inheritance. They find a way to blind the law.
Don’t we realize that all this diminution of morality comes from what our mind has been consuming for the past two decades?
What can we expect from a society that no longer upholds justice in the court, has no respect toward the sacred marital bond, easily breaks commitments, and permitting acts of indecency in public life?
What sort of generation do we expect to spring up in the future, from today’s so corrupted society?
When we let greed, indecency, amorality and injustice keep on poisoning our mind and slip into our family lives through that brainwashing crystal box sitting in our living room, it’s unlikely for our children to live a straight and respectful life in the future – and their children after them.
It’s time to filter the programs we’re watching.
It’s time to say NO to bad and mind-corrupting television programs.
Throw those poison candies out of our family’s life!

When We've Got Ears but Fail to Listen

Pastor Steve got a message from his troubled friend.
It said, “Why is my life so distressing and gloomy? Why do all these problems surround me? What have I done God wrong? Tell me why these things happen to me!”
Steve replied, “Sometimes, when bad things happen to us, it is God’s process to shape us into a better person. At other times, it is due to our own sin or wrongdoing that God wants us to evaluate and correct before stepping any further. In all things, we need to have a heart full of gratitude for everything He does in our life.”
Can you guess the friend’s response?
He messaged back, “So you’re telling me I’m an ungrateful person? You dare call me a sinner? Who in this world never sins? Answer me!”
Well, from the reply, we know why those things happen to him, don’t we?
Steve’s friend is the kind who lacks self-evaluation. Instead of taking time to introspect himself, he believes that all the problems he’s facing come from outside. He blames others – either God or people or circumstances – for being responsible for the troubles in his life. He never thinks that he has to be responsible for himself: his mind, his actions, his behavior, and his decisions.
Stephen Covey was right when he said, “If we don’t take control over our own lives, others will.”
So the underlying point is how to be the man-in-charge over the wheels of our life. Though God is in control over everything in the universe, He doesn’t want us to be passive or idle in managing the life He’s granted us.
He gives us mind to think, hands to work, heart to feel, and – as in the above story – ears to listen to advices, rebukes and improving inputs.
When we’ve got ears but fail to listen, well… Don’t be surprised if we don’t find solutions to our problems!

Socializing Jazz in Indonesia

For years and years on end, I’ve been fed up with the culture of pop and folk (not ethnic!) music in our country. It’s not just the melodies and rhythms that I find of such a low quality. The lyrics, in particular and of utmost importance, are completely not educating! They all talk about love affairs, separations, poverty, and materialism. What good values are we handing down to our children by letting them listen to such brainwashing music and watch inappropriate video-clips on television?
Aside from feeling desperate concerning the nation’s future culture, I’ve half given up trying to tell people that the music they’re listening to (and enjoying, too) is major trash! Nobody seems to care about anything aside from making money through selling records to lack-of-understanding majority of people. Our pop-musicians are merchants, and our people are simply consumers. Period!
What saddening trend!
But, the good news is: I’m not the only person concerned.
I was very surprised as finding out that one of my Facebooker friends also eagerly desired the betterment of this nation’s culture in music. Forming a band of his own, he went around the villages, socializing and playing jazz without being paid!
Jazz!
Now, that’s a creative, improvising and intelligent type of music!
The thing that really catches my attention is the willingness of this guy to be proactive. His action may only seem like a drop of water in a vast lake, but even the flaps of a butterfly’s wings can stir up a storm halfway around the globe!
So, there’s no reason to be pessimistic. Just think globally and act locally. Doing all the best we can, with all means we can, though it seems like swimming against the current, is worth the effort, compared to doing nothing at all and sitting at home complaining why the world isn’t getting any better!
Let’s not give in to the culture of pop and folk music that doesn’t build the character of our next generation. Cherish and cultivate good sense of music in our children and feed them with educating values.
I personally support Bambang’s effort in socializing jazz to the low-class society in Indonesia. It’s a very courageous and original idea put into action. Bravo!