A FREEDOM DAY
The day we arrived in Singapore last Friday was Singapore’s National Day celebrating 59 years of breakage from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965 due to multiple disagreements. Understandably, there was a huge commotion on the streets, on TV, and in the hotel where we stayed promoting several National Day packages. When we rode a Grab taxi to our hotel from the airport, a song commemorating National Day, “We Are Singapore,” was being played on the radio. “What a patriotic Grab driver,” was my initial thought, which quickly subsided after learning about National Day.
We are back in Malaysia and Malaysia is gearing up for its National Day celebration on August 31 from Britain in 1957, the so-called “Merdeka Day.” Though the day is still two weeks out, more Malaysian flags are proudly dotted everywhere every day, reminding all of the momentous declaration of independence. Undoubtedly, there will be huge spectacles and celebrations.
Then, of course, today (August 15) here in Malaysia, we are celebrating Korea Independence Day called “Gwangbokjeol,” in 1945 after having been under the Japanese colonial occupation for 35 years. While the “independence” movements are not new historically, these modern-day “freedom” movements are unlike the world has seen from 1945 to 1970 with more than 90 percent of the world gaining independence from respective colonial rule. The only “non-Western” country to have never been occupied would be Thailand (which conveniently translates into the land of the free man) due mainly to the fact that two powerful colonizing countries (Britain and France) agreed to leave Thailand as a buffer nation lest they get into unnecessary squabble.
An inordinate amount of blood and sweat has been spilled seeking and fighting for political, ethnic, social, and religious freedom movements as they are part and parcel of humanity’s desire to be themselves which is synonymous with God’s original design to flourish. Soon after I married Grace, I found that her maternal great-grandfather, Byung Jo Song, was one of the key freedom fighters against Japanese rule. This freedom gene is coursing through her veins which is doubled by marrying a wild Mustang freedom advocate. Being free is to be human. God is obsessively adamant and affirmative about freedom even if it means humanity would rebel against God, employing the very freedom God grants. Many if not all freedom heroes and heroines would rather die fighting for freedom than live passively under bondage. I cannot think of any other human endeavor more endearing, enduring, and significant than the collective freedom urge and movements. Far more than human DNA, the movements speak more of God and how God upholds freedom, almost to the point that God looks reckless and even foolish.
Jesus unrolled the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in his first synagogue speech and read this portion in Luke 4:18-19.
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
“The poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed” were at the very heart of Jesus’ ministry (which is consistent with the “beatitude” multitude) and the remarkable hope-filled message of freedom was the mission of Jesus. From this lens, as I consider the current and dire global and regional conflicts that are too many to count and follow, some are trying to maintain their despotic control while others are desperately trying to be set free. For “self” (however we may define what self represents from national self to factional self to elite self to even tyrannical self) interests and entitlements on the surface aside, the more existential struggle for all humanity is to gain and live out freedom. It is just that some have to maintain the control or status quo while others have to rise and disenthrall. In his annual message to Congress in 1862, Abraham Lincoln gave these moving concluding remarks. “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”
It is too trite to say, “Believe in Jesus and He will set you free.” While it may be true at the experiential and personal level, the systems and powers that sometimes unknowingly but also knowingly take people captive must be dealt with. Jesus fought against such existing and powerful systems, ultimately giving His life. Of course, as important as the message of freedom, the way to freedom and the way of Jesus never condone violence and always seek creative solutions to rebel and upset the status quo. The process of gaining freedom is far more important than the result. How many times have we witnessed the harrowing oppressed after achieving freedom morph into imperious oppressors? Could it be that we are being set free in the process of pursuing and struggling toward liberation?
Then there are freedom struggles on an individual level. 5 years ago on this day, I announced to my former organization that I intend to step down from all of my leadership roles. After having worn many hats of roles and responsibilities over decades, I considered it a day of freedom. I knew it as it was happening and felt the unfamiliar quiet, exhilarating sensation. Leading up to this decision, however, was a long arduous process of agony of letting go while trying desperately to find my identity without roles and responsibilities. The invitation from God was to “leave” after living my entire adult life of “go.” As life is a series of goings and leavings, I was to leave to discover another go. How I experienced freedom was by way of leaving at the time. We are in the thick of another go, struggling to hold a steady gaze of “setting the captives free” for myself and others.