Hazy days are upon us

The haze is a reminder that we are living in an inter-connected world whereby what happens to one country will invariably affect others.  In this case, the indiscriminate burning of plantations/ land in Sumatra plus the dry weather and prevailing wind conditions have exacerbated the smog condition we are currently experiencing.  Of great concern would be the health of all people living in the vicinity of the hotspots, especially the very young and the elderly, and those who have heart and respiratory conditions.  The Pollutant Standards Index as at 1pm today in Singapore rose to a high of 371, which is classified as hazardous.  We have never had it so high before over the past 20 years.   Let’s pray for rain and for our political leaders as they work with Indonesia to find a permanent solution to this perennial environment issue.

The haze will certainly affect our lifestyles  as well as tourism.  Tourists would avoid coming to this region or if they do come, would make a hasty exit.  It brings inconvenience to our lives as we have to avoid going out unnecessarily whether for recreation or meals.  Little wonder that surgical masks, including the more expensive N95, have all been sold out.  Yesterday, I was at Courts Megastore (Tampines) to buy an air purifier but discovered that there were no stocks for all brands they carried except for Novita Air Care (about 2 sets left), which was more expensive.   I eventually bought one which came with a free filter package.   As you can well see, it is not just the inconvenience we have to bear but also additional expenses; more so those with health issues.  Compounding this is the dengue epidemic we are also contending with.    

Our rights and liberty to fresh clean air has been infringed!  Maybe the day would come where we would have to buy fresh air just like they do in some countries.  The issue of personal data privacy is also in the news lately whereby a whistle-blower spills the beans with regard to what the American security agency is doing.   I believe it’s happening also in other countries as well, not just in America.  Our lives would never completely be private with technology advancing at such a rapid pace; what’s with the social media.  With the latest web technology, somehow whatever we do on the net could be tracked and monitored.   Financial institutions have also a lot of our information about us if we have bank accounts or credit cards.  It’s no wonder that untold information can be fished out in a court of law.

We all want freedom and privacy.  Indeed, God has set us free from the bondage to sin but we need work at staying free.  
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”  Gal 5:1 (NKJV)
With regard to privacy, we have none.   God our maker is watching over our lives.  That’s where justice would be served eventually, if not in this world then the next.
“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”  Heb 4:13 (NKJV)