I pity Angelo Reyes for his untimely and worthless death. For the Japanese, what he has done is probably “patriotic” or “appropriate” since he has tainted his family’s name and the AFP’s credibility. (If we had the same culture, we would have solved our overpopulation issues!) However, as a Christian nation, his death is something pitiful, saddening to the deepest sense of it.
I pity him because had one person who has close relationship to Jesus talked to him, things could’ve been less grotesque.
Of course, my current plight is in no way similar nor close to his, but both of us had the same thought—ending one’s own life to put an end to the problems that surround us. But I am blessed to have a family (biologically and spiritually) who guided me through the difficult times. Of course, I’m not saying that Mr. Reyes doesn’t have a family to talk to, it’s still a personal choice. But as I watch the breaking news about his death, I could not help but think or tell myself, “How I wish I was there to talk to him…”
Committing suicide is an extension of one’s boastfulness. By taking one’s life, one shouts out loud to the Lord saying, “Hey you up there! Since you can’t help me out in solving my problems, I’ll solve them myself! HAHA! When I’m gone, the problems die with me!!!”
Angelo Reyes chose that option. He continued to display his power to overcome things, to solve his own problems.
How I wish that I was there to tell him that he can’t; that taking his own life is a further act of boastfulness right under God’s nose (if he still believes in God).
How I wish that I was there to share God’s words, to encourage him that admitting one’s faults and confessing one’s sins are the first steps towards freedom, towards mending the wounds, towards healing.
How I wish that I was there to tell him that God does not condemn; that even if the law of man would more likely lock him up behind bars, the love of God would give him the freedom that he never had—and will never have.
How I wish that I was there to tell him how God has been working in my life ever so clearly and effectively; that if God gave me the chance to change and start anew, why would He not do it to him?
Fortunately, I chose the other option. I confessed my sins and asked for God’s forgiveness, and with God’s grace, I have been forgiven. The soul-cleansing power of the Blood of the Lamb has washed away all the sins that I have done in the past (yeah, more powerful than Ariel and Tide Ultra COMBINED!), and this reality gave me the power to face my problems and start a new life.
I’ve also asked for forgiveness from those people that I have hurt. I am fully aware that man’s ability to forgive is light-years away from God’s, so I am willing to continue praying for them and wait for the time that they will forgive me.
***
As you read this, you are probably in a certain situation that tests your ability to face and solve your problems. Let me tell you that you can’t solve them on your own. You could find solutions, but the utmost step to solving a problem would be giving it up to the Lord. Pray. He will give you answers; He always does, we just don’t listen.
Probably (I hope not) at some point in your life, you will also start thinking of what Angelo Reyes thought (and did), but let me remind you that it’s futile. It will never be the best option. If you will just let Him handle your problems, you will be amazed at how His hands will move to bring you peace and redemption.
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
Psalms 55:22
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