3Feb Morning Sharing on Independance

Independence, as we have learned from previous day’s sharing is about “freedom”. It can be “personal”, affecting only you. However, “independence” could also apply to a group or community of people, even nations. Many people think that independence means “I have the freedom make the decision for Myself. It’s only Me, I and Myself.” – a very self-centered attitude. However, we shall see from the following story that one man’s selfless actions can determine the fate of a whole community of people.

All of us know who is Minister Mentor Lee Kwan Yew, without whom Singapore will be not be what she is today. Imagine what would have happened if we remained with Malaysia? – Racial tensions.

Have you heard of Winston Churchill? He was the Prime Minister of Britain or England at the time of the 2nd World War. What if he had not led the nation to resist the Germans and fought to save the independence of Britain? The outcome of 2nd World War may turn out differently and Singapore may still be under Japanese rule.

Today I will introduce you to this person called Gandhi. Do you know who he is?
There is not a single country in the whole world where the name of Gandhi is not known. Do you know why Gandhi became so famous? What did he stand for?
Gandhi dedicated his whole life to the service of his motherland India. He was an advocate of using non-violent means to resist or protest injustice, and lead India to independence from British rule. However, he paid the price for holding on to his what he believed in – he was imprisoned 4 times in 1922,1930,1933 and 1942, and spent a total of 7 years in jail. While imprisoned, he also undertook many public fasts to protest against injustice. There was even once he decided to fast unto death to fight for the rights of the oppressed class of citizens called the untouchables in the Indian society.

How did Gandhi develop his strong ideals for independence and justice?
It all began when he was only a young lawyer practicing in Africa.

At that time, all the power in Africa was also in the hands of the British people. They considered themselves superior, and treated the Indians and the natives in a most insulting manner. Gandhi represented a native businessman in a court case against a Britishman and won. However because of this, he ruffled the feathers of the British people. Wherever he went, he had to face insults and rudeness. At times, he was even physically assaulted. One day, when he was travelling in the first class compartment of a train, a Britishman boarded the compartment. On seeing Gandhi, the Britishman got furious. He called the Railway officer, and both ordered him to get out of the train. Since Gandhi had purchased a first class ticket, he refused to do so. However, they paid no heed to him. Gandhi refused to budge. Finally the police were summoned. They pushed him out of the compartment and threw his luggage out of the window. Gandhi had to spend the whole night on the platform. This was only one of the many humiliating experiences Gandhi had to face. He had wanted to return to India on the completion of his work in Africa, but the plight of the Indians there disturbed him greatly. For everywhere there was discrimination. There was one set of rules for the Indians and natives, and a different set for the British people. So he resolved to stay, and fight the unjust and inhuman laws that were imposed on them.

Today, as we listen to the example set by Gandhi, let us examine and reflect upon our own motives and actions in life.
Whenever we want to exert our rights to independence, are we doing it for the greater good of others, or does it come from a selfish motive?

For example, in class, we have the right to speak our mind. But in doing so, are we disrupting the class? In our private lives, we have the right to go out late and have fun with our friends. But are we making our parents and our friends’ parents worry excessively that we are hanging out with bad company?

Let us now bow our heads and be still as we reflect on today’s sharing. I will close this time with a word of prayer.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
As this day begins, we praise You and thank You for whatever this is in store for us. We trust in Your grace to help us endure the difficult and to rejoice in the blessings.

Teach us, Father, to use our rights to independence in a godly manner that is pleasing in Your sight.

Use us to touch each other’s lives with your gifts of love, joy and peace.

All these, we ask in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.