For a number of us, we grew up being taught that if we did what was right and good, we would get right and good stuff in return. In the same light, a number of Christians follow Jesus to get a better life, or at least a life free of problems. I, for one, followed Christ back in 2005 because I didn’t want to go to hell. But does that really work this way? Is life fair?
Post contents
Rengoku Kyojuro
As an Otaku, I am someone who enjoys watching anime and recently the anime Demon Slayer caught my attention, and one character in particular has lingered in my mind for a good while.
Rengoku, a demon slayer, is not just the typical good guy who fights the bad ones. He is tirelessly enthusiastic, and cheerfully eccentric. In fact, among the good guys, he stands out due to his kind and pure heart and boasts of extraordinary technique and swordsmanship resulting from strict practice and discipline. That notwithstanding, he is a pleasant and amiable mentor, an upright and honourable fighter alongside his inflexibility to his code of morals and principles which makes him dependable and considerate.
All this is exactly what gets Rengoku killed, as he gives his life to protect his apprentices and everyone else in an immensely emotional and heart-crushing last battle. To make us even cry more, his last words explain how proud he was as a physically strong and vigorous person, to have protected the weaker ones with every bit of his life.
It wasn’t fair
I was extremely moved by his death, because it wasn’t fair.
It wasn’t fair because he died doing good, and as a matter of fact didn’t succeed in killing the bad guy. It wasn’t fair because he had just appeared in the story, just long enough for the viewers to fall in love with him, and then was harshly taken away.
Furthermore, it wasn’t fair because he died young, and thinking about his death afterwards reminded me of a late classmate of mine who passed away at 15 years old. It wasn’t fair at all. We were all so young. She had so many things to experience in life, her aspirations, her dreams, even the national exam we were preparing for that year. All shattered in the blink of an eye.
At her funeral service, we, her classmates sang this hymn “Farther along” and it is only years later, in my experience as a full-grown adult or when I watch relatable anime like Demon Slayer, that I reconsider the meaning of that song, and the meaning of life on earth as a Christian. The lyrics go thus:
VERSE 1 Tempted and tried, we're often made to wonder Why it should be thus all the day long While there are others living about us Never molested though in the wrong VERSE 2 When death has come and taken our loved ones It leaves our home so lonely and drear Then do we wonder why others prosper Living so wicked year after year VERSE 3 "Faithful 'til death", said our loving Master A few more days to labor and wait Toils of the road will then seem as nothing As we sweep through the beautiful gates CHORUS Farther along, we'll know all about it Farther along, we'll understand why Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine We'll understand it all by and by
Farther along, shall we understand why?
“…then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2b*
Understanding God’s will is hard when you experience injustice and unfairness. When the advocates of good and children die, whereas the criminals not only live, but thrive, etc
However, the first part of this verse invalidates my point, because I am nobody to call another criminal, neither to judge who is good or bad, nor who is deserving or not. The reason being that the humans laws and societies by which I tend to abide, like the human mind itself, are full of flaws and covered in stains.
“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2a
Trust…
Ultimate wisdom is God’s, who knows the past, present, future and all the possibilities and options therein. The only way to fathom life, and avoid being crushed by what seems unfair to us, is to let our own thoughts become like His. The way to do is giving your body as a living sacrifice to Him, by allowing Him to take control over you.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
… and accept.
Unfairness isn’t always as bad, given it is an unfair act that has blessed us today with everything we claim as children of God.
It wasn’t fair that innocent Jesus was killed for us. Was it? But that sacrifice gave us hope, just like Rengoku’s sacrifice is teaching me a lesson today. The sacrifice of many throughout human history gave hope, courage and joy to others.
Therefore, it is our call to accept what God brings before us, for He always has a plan.
* – All the verses her are taken from the NLT version of the Bible
Simply beautiful. I am in awe. I think you captured the essence of Rengoku’s death and sacrifice, and the correlation to the death and sacrifice of Christ.
Amen, thank you
Life is unfair. It hurts and it is frustrating but we shouldn’t be disheartened by that. We should aim for the best we can be and leave the rest to God.