What the Apostle Paul wrote in the Book of Ephesians: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” is thought provoking, more so in a situation like today. As the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) celebration of 150 years of Christianity in the Naga Hills is here, we are reminded of the battles we are fighting. There are so many “powers” and “rulers of the darkness of this world” that ABAM and its members are bound to face. The “spiritual wickedness in high places” is piled up to the skies. Yet, to be a believer is to face these battles. Whatever ails our society today, we know. Yet, we do not know how to solve the problems. There are so many issues that are strangulating our society. Yet, must we give up simply because we are overwhelmed? Maybe our theology is flawed or maybe we are not ready to listen.
150 years is a long time and, in a layman’s perspective, we should be doing much better than we are faring today – as a society and as believers. This is the sesquicentennial year and it is in the lips of every prayerful believer that we as a community of believers overcome our shortcomings and lead our lives as we profess. The faith leaders alone cannot solve the spiritual problems we are facing. They can at the most guide us. Every single member of the society of believers has a role to play. To retrospect and introspect, to right the wrong without hurting, to forgive and be forgiven, and to look to the future with hope and gladness of heart – that is what we desire. We are here today but will be gone tomorrow. Most of us celebrating the sesquicentennial might not be around in the next jubilee. When we are gone, what will we be leaving behind for posterity to share? All of these thoughts are always relevant to us every day but it assumes even more significance today because it is the sesquicentennial year.
It is hoped that the celebrations will be a grand success and a blessed one. Even from a secular perspective, it is a momentous milestone because our society – with all its flaws – would not have progressed thus far had it not been for the Gospel reaching our hills 150 years ago. We are a disgruntled lot but we have so much to be grateful for. For once, let us be grateful and discerning. May this sesquicentennial celebration renew and revive us.