I want to share a story which seems to be quite descriptive of our current situation in Nagaland.
Here’s the story of a Christian in first person: “In Germany they [Hitler’s Loyalists] came first for the Communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Next, they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Finally, they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up.”
We are all aware that many bad things have happened in history because good people remain silent. This being the case, I feel deeply burdened that it is urgently incumbent upon us to speak out loud and clear, especially during this perilous time we Nagas are passing through right now. We don’t have to look hard to know that our society seems to be heading towards a terrible crisis for lack of God-fearing leaders. Crisis upon crisis are already pilling upon our society. And yet our political leaders, both overground and underground, seem to care only for power and wealth for themselves. Yes, I’m sure you are also well aware that many ambitious people amongst us are already getting ready to gain power to control us again by turning to the god of mammon and the god of terror. This is a dangerous path we are taking.
If we, as true Christian keep silent, without speaking out and taking a stand against these evils, we will have doomed the future of our children and our grandchildren. As a matter of fact, I’m convinced that our children are demanding a response from us, adults who occupy positions of moral leadership in our society and specially spiritual institution leaders. If we fail to respond even when evil is staring at them on their face, they will one day rise up and curse us. As for you and me, it is a moral duty we owe to all our people and our children in particular. If we don’t rise up to confront the evils now, when? If not the people of faith, who?
So, may I be allowed to take this opportunity to request you to “sound the trumpet call” (Ezek 33) to all our fellow believers so that they will be alerted to do the right thing in such a time as this. More specifically, let us pray that the god of mammon and the god of terror will not have victory over us this time . Pray that our Lord would grant wisdom to our people to choose the individuals and people of His choice to lead us in our journey as a people of God.
God Bless Nagaland
Dr. Tseibu Rutsa
Keyake, Kohima
