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This student’s death should galvanize the Education Ministry and religious leaders
Dear Editor,
The recent death of the fifteen year old student by suicide should be a matter of concern for all of us. I often wonder in amazement at the death of our young people’s lives snuffed out so often by suicide, accidents, murders, drug overdose and alcoholism.
I want to challenge us as a nation, particularly
our young people, that we are born with a purpose to live. Purpose in theological terms simple means why do we exist in this world? What are our goals, visions and dreams? Where do we go from here when we die.
Purpose can guide life decisions, influence behaviour, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning. For some people, purpose is connected to vocation—meaningful, satisfying work. For others, their purpose lies in their responsibilities to their family or friends. Others seek meaning through spirituality or religious beliefs. Some people may find their purpose clearly expressed in all these aspects of life. (Richard Leider)
The untimely death of this young lady should motivate the Ministry of Education and religious leaders to do more in our schools among our young people including the University of Guyana.
Psalms 118:17 – ”I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.”
That is a very important Psalm. I believe it should be on our school doors and on every classroom wall. We are born with a purpose to live and declare the works of God because we are created into the image of God.
Ecclesiastes 7:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
”Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
Why should you die before your time?”
The wise man King Solomon writing here admonishing us not to be wicked nor foolish and ends with a question: ”Why should you die before your time?”
When people are confused and frustrated also rejected they feel they can take their life just end it all, but they can kill their bodies but not their souls. Our souls are our true spiritual bodies that will stand before God on the day of judgement and those who commit suicide have no chance of salvation unless they repent before they die.
”For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
(Ecclesiastes 12:14)
Suicide is defined as intentionally taking one’s own life and comes from the Latin suicidium, which literally means “to kill oneself.” It tends to carry different traits depending on culture. Literally speaking, suicide, or completed suicide is the successful act of intentionally causing one’s own death. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide and rates of completed suicide are higher in men than women – with men up to four times more likely to kill themselves than women. The most cited risk factors for suicide include psychiatric disorders, genetics, substance abuse, and family and social situations. Oftentimes, psychiatric factors and substance abuse co-exist.(Quote from PSYCOM)
I have had the privilege to counsel and pray for people contemplating murder and suicide and see them free with much prayers and counselling. While we mourn the death of this child from Mae’s school, it’s time we introduce religious studies into our school curriculum from Primary to University. It is God’s purpose and plan for us to live life to its full potential and don’t die before our time.
(Psalm 91:16 King James Version (KJV)
”With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”
It’s in God’s plan for us all to live a long life full of purpose and many blessings. I call on all of us to say Yes to Life and Not SUICIDE.I end this discourse with a quote from Shakespeare:
”This life, which had been the tomb of his virtue and of his honour, is but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
William Shakespeare
Regards,
Rev.Dr.Gideon Cecil
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