Have you ever watched the Japanese Anime “Rurouni Kenshin” (or sometimes titled as “Samurai X” in some countries)? It’s one of my favourite animes, and this is the 4th time I’m watching the series again. Totally love the sword fighting scenes and also the portrayal of Kenshin’s strong sense of justice and loyalty in the series.
But this time round, as I was watching it again, I saw something I didn’t see before. See, “Rurouni Kenshin” is about the story of a peaceful wanderer, Himura Kenshin, during the early Meiji period in Japan. However, before Kenshin became a peaceful wanderer, he was an assassin (known as Hitokiri Battosai) during the Bakumatsu war, in the final years of the Edo period in Japan.
After the war, Kenshin quits being an assassin and lives as a peaceful wanderer instead. He reverses his sword into a Sakaba, and uses it now to protect the innocent and those in need. However along his journey, he meets many enemies, both old and new.
In the many fights that follow, it suddenly dawned upon me that many of Kenshin’s old enemies were not only challenging him to settle old scores, but also because they were not willing to give up their old way of life. They refused to accept the changes that came with the new Meiji government, instead they were desperately trying to hold onto what was familiar and known of the Edo period.
Kenshin on the other hand, embraced the change fully and moved on. Using his superb sword skills for new purposes. He saw what the others couldn’t see. He saw the new possibilities (of a peaceful Japan) and new opportunities. Even though he was a wanderer, Kenshin lived the rest of his life with great purpose.
In those 99 episodes of “Rurouni Kenshin”, I am reminded that the only thing that is consistent in life is change!!! Time flies! We can either embrace change or resist it. Change is never easy. It often requires steps of FAITH to move into the unknown, into the unfamiliar. However that choice is ours. So my question is this: When you look back, what do you see?
Are you one who watches things happen, or like many who wonder what happened, or are you that someone who makes things happen?
Lord, I pray that in the shifting seasons of my life, may I always embrace change and always be learning. May I live my life according to the purposes You have for me. Help me to see with Your eyes. Help me to take those steps of FAITH and to lean on You, trusting in Your Faithfulness and in Your unfailing Love.
I love you Jesus, with everything I am.
“Here I stand my life before You,
Can’t believe the price you paid,
Gave it all just for me.
I lay my life upon the altar.
Take me now, I place my life in Your hands.
King of Heaven, You’re my Saviour,
You left Your place of glory,
Giving Your life just for me.
How could I ever repay You?
You came into my life, Lord,
You set me free.
Chorus
Everything I am I give to You,
For You are holy, holy.
Take my life and everything I do.
For You are holy, holy.” … Planetshakers
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