Light Nai ~

          Berlin, Tempelhofer Feld/ Nividi Kevichüsa, Summer  2021.

Nagaland is a relatively new state, the 16th state of India to attain its statehood in 1963.

So, we are a new state, with new districts and new towns, and a host of issues, like every state has, throughout the rest of the world. Apart from the numerous structural problems that plague our state, one that particularly affects ordinary people is electricity failure. 

This problem persists every year, affecting the inhabitants of the fastest-growing commercial town in the state, the district of Dimapur.  

One, because all the businesses, start-ups and commercial hubs are here clustered in this town, which is soon growing into a large, packed city,  there is a lot of electrical consumption,

And second, because well, we are a very corrupt state, and the state admin is one of the worst in the country (one Google news click will show you)

And so, summers here in this town means a level of discomfort which is surreal, because from all the rest of the 17 districts in Nagaland, this one is located in the plains, and not the hills, which means summers here are next to hell.

Every summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 45 °C and humidity levels as high as 85-95%, the heat and humidity become unbearable from May to June, lasting until the end of October, at times extending into November. 

And with the existing structural corruption and lack of proper administration, there is heavy load shedding every year!

A few weeks ago, (like it does at least 3-4 times a year), the transformer in our colony blew up again! And as we say in Nagamese, 'light nai.'  

And we were in a blackout zone for 3 whole days!!!

During this blackout, the discomfort we felt was next-level. Our inverters had stopped running by then; our water pump couldn't pump water anymore. We had to resort to using private generators, and, of course, we couldn't use AC. We had minimal lights and fans.

Long story short, the power department eventually found a replacement transformer (second-hand, btw, not new), and the diligent workers did their best to restore the power. 

It made me think of what it's like to live in complete spiritual darkness. 

It's discomforting at first, but we eventually become accustomed to it. We may have the occasional bumps and knock ourselves trying to navigate our way in the dark; we sweat and curse the darkness, but eventually, over time, we get used to it, and we have to, because it's the only way. We learn to adjust to the darkness.

And that's a scary thought.

Ephesians 5 talks about the people living in the light.

V1 commends us to 'follow God's example in everything we do.' 

V 3-7 a strong and clear warning on things to avoid and not to participate.

V8- For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behaviour should show it.

V9  For this light within you produces only what is good, and right and true.

V11-Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness

V12- It is shameful to even talk about the things that ungodly people do.

V13- but when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are-

V15 so be careful how you live, not as fools, but as those who are wise-

When the transformer burst in our colony, the electrical failure around us created a period of discomfort, and we longed for the light to return so that we could have a life of ease and comfort. However, over time, we become accustomed to it because we had no choice.

Imagine how our lives would be if we got accustomed to living in spiritual darkness...

While our state, districts, towns, and colonies continue to struggle with having light (electricity), we always say, 'light nai' (means 'no light' in Nagamese Creole). 

The good news is that our spiritual life doesn't have to be in darkness; we have a choice to live in the light, which is accessible to us 24/7.

"Arise O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will give  you light."

St Paul to the holy people in Ephesus/Ephesians 5: 14. NLT.