To do or not to do…

To do or not to do is often the question, the inner struggle that everyone single soul would come to experience it at some point in life. Every decision made would result its designated consequences. No doubt, it is often than not that the consequences of our actions that worries us.

Yet making such decisions are inevitable in life. Decision-making is a seal of approval which recognises that every one of us has free will on their own. The authority over ourselves are placed in our own palms. To not make a choice between doing or not doing means that one has not fully matured.

This brings us into a very awkward situation: we are bound to suffer the consequences of our decisions, be it good or bad, yet we cannot escape the fact that we are our own lords. To remain indecisive, not making choices is the utmost delusional and self-denial state anyone could be in.

Dear readers, I am, more often than not, stranded in such a position.

If the choices presented to me are dialectic or at both extremes, life would be more easier to me. But I always find myself being tempted by things that seem not entirely bad, yet not entirely right. For example, my friends and I would sometimes joke about sex, which is normal for youngsters like us. It is a form of entertainment, and I admit, some CAN be really funny. It is only harmful to you, if somehow you can be related to those jokes. It is not simply black and white nor entirely gray. Free will might be God’s greatest gift to mankind. But it takes a lot of courage and wisdom to utilize such privilege.

I would not be surprise if those who are reading this share the same experience as I. I am so urged to do things that brings me pleasure, especially those that seem to bring no harm. What’s wrong to have fun? Nothing bad is going to happen. What’s worse is when I start to justify things I do to make me feel better. After all, its entertaining and does no harm.

To do or not to do. It is also said, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. If you feel the same, remember that you’re not alone. I guess the price to pay for free will is continuously struggle between the soul and the body. Can you lust for pleasure suppressed by your conscience in persevering to do the right thing? It is going to be a life-long battle, and it is often a lonely fight. But whatever things may come, I pray, I’ll do the right thing.

Of Israel and Me…

I have always struggled with this in my belief; Israel is the chosen nation by God himself. In fact, I envied them for being such a blessed nation, that God always look out for them and probably still. It was beyond my comprehension how a nation with less than a million population could have dominated the Holy Land. God would fight their wars, provide what they need, forgive their misgivings. The very fact that they are the “specially chosen” people made me felt sidelined, even felt being outside God’s Love.

The Messianic Prophecy was also given for the sake of Israel; a promise conceived since the ages of Isaiah which every Jew hold on within their heart & faith. Jesus even proclaimed that he came “for the lost sheep of Israel”. I wondered how the Gentiles of those ages felt. Did they had the same thought as I? Was Salvation only meant for Jews? Why, of all race across the world, of all their disbelieve, cruelty, somewhat barbaric nature God has chosen such nation and bless it with milk and honey?

I thought, how could God, being omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscience, would only love one Israel?

The Jews are indeed a blessed nation. In their height of power, they had the mighty, benevolent and philosophical King David. God was with them. Yet when both Judah and Israel fell, its people exiled, God was still with them. In her lowest point in history, Isaiah delivered God’s ultimate promise of deliverance and the promise for Messiah. How good was God to them!!

Yet the Jews are not without fault. They are no where righteous or sinless. In fact, they are weak in faith. They turn away from God so many times that it is beyond human understanding to comprehend God’s unfailing love and loyalty towards them. Amidst being a fallen nation, her people scattered around the world, Israel is reborn with bloodshed and war. This day the world witness the endless turmoil that results in rivers of blood in this land of “milk & honey”. Is the Israel we all see today the “chosen” people of God? One that commits genocide, murder or even attempting world domination?

I must admit, being heavily influenced by the teachings of the bible, that I tend to favour Israel in the Middle East saga. The territory conflict between Israel and Palestine is being justified as what God has promised them in my own conscience. After all, the Israelites inherited the land with bloodshed and war. Why is it wrong again for them to simply repeat what was done by their fore fathers?

The Jews were the reason why the world’s major religion exists today; Judaism, Christianity, Islam. All these teachings focused in the lives of these “great” Jews which many Muslims hated. I always had a feeling that they were taught to hate Jews by their own religion. As for me, being a Christian, I have always struggled between condoning Israel reclaiming her lost glory and condemning her inhuman means of achieving it.

The Israelite’s attack on the Humanitarian Ships sparked lots of response, be it virtual or real world. We would see demonstrations on the streets, declaration of hatred on the internet. Just switch on the TV and Facebook; You shall get it all. People goes around declaring “I hate Israel”, “Kill all the Jews!!” etc. What is most damaging is people get over emotional and irrational in instances such as these. Indeed, what Israel did was shameful. I detest it to the very bottom of my heart. But who are we Christians, Jews, Muslims to claim that God is love and peace by saying “I hate you”, “you hate me”. Hate, is the very essence that breeds hate. How would you stop hatred by hating another?

I believe people would hate God for the things that happened. Its perfectly understandable. But if you must hate for the things that happened, hate and detest the sins that are committed unto you. Hate not the people who sin against you. You and I are both flesh and blood, what really differs us is what we hold onto in our hearts. It is inevitable that Good and Evil must Co-exist in this fallen world. Even if Israel is wiped off from the world, another Israel would rise up and walk in their stead. Good thrives when Evil is strong. How can anyone be sure that once Israel in punished, all those killings and injustice would stop?

Many claim that the Zionists are to be blame for everything. They control and manipulate the economy, politics, media, education and many more. How true is this I do not know, and is never my concern. What concerns me is not the destruction of all “Bad” people in the world. What concerns me is not the peace won through blood and war. concerns me is if I can look past all these prejudices, and love everybody I come in contact with as how Jesus loves me. I suggest you to be of concern if you can just love another human being just as he/she is, and fill this world with as little love as you have to offer.

There is no other time which requires us, whatever religion we might profess, to be united against all kinds of hatred. All three religions teaches that Judgement Day must come. Famine, war, calamity are the signs of Armageddon. It is truly the time where humans, as individuals and nations alike to stand together and brace themselves for the coming days. If we cannot love one another now, what would the world look like when it’s the Day of Judgement? Hell descends upon us the very second we give in to hate. At that time, no religion would withstand the aftermath. People would not know what they believe anymore. It is then when our faith needs to be most steadfast, it is then when it is truly the era of hate. Love one another when you still can, for time is swiftly running out.