Not Only a New Year's Battle

Whether on a tuk tuk, in a bus, or on a motorcycle, watch out!  You are a splash target!

"This holiday, you must expect to get wet.  If you get mad at them, you're wrong...not the people who splashed you."

Chao's words of warning echoed in my mind all three days of the New Year celebration.

Kids splashing from the side of the road.

As I got dressed each day, I consciously thought about what clothes I should wear.  Clothes that dried easily, wouldn't get stained, and wouldn't become see-through when wet.  

As I picked out shoes, the criteria was simple: water-proof.

As I decided what to take with me, I made sure I had my squirt gun (full!) and packed only the necessities, things easy to carry.  My phone was carefully zip-locked in a bag.  And my camera didn't make the cut.  (So thanks to other people for sharing some pictures!)

As I planned out my path, I considered which direction would most likely encounter the biggest splash scenes.  Sometimes I wanted to be there, sometimes I chose a roundabout way to avoid them.

I was ready for the New Year's Water War!

Sonkran is Thailand's New Year celebration.  There's no avoiding getting wet unless you literally don't come out of your house and let no one inside. 

Pouring water for blessings and merit.

The water splashing comes from the Buddhist tradition of pouring water on statues and people as a symbol of pouring out and receiving blessings.  The tradition is continued today as most Buddhist make merit during the New Year holiday, sometime in between the water fight. 

When I first came to Thailand, it was impossible to miss the fact that I was living in a spiritual war zone.  But now that I've been here for quite some time, it's easier to overlook.  As I reflected on the amount of effort I was taking to prepare for these days of water fights, I began to think about Ephesians 6.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (verse 11-12)

The streets are full of people ready to splash!

Just as water could come from any angle at any time during Songkran, so does the spiritual battle come.  Just as I thought about my entire wardrobe and what would be in my hands before going out to get wet, I must remember the whole armor of God.  The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit.  

No amount of staying home with the doors shut and food stocked up will keep this war at bay.  Whether home is a dot on the map in Thailand, America, or elsewhere, there's no escaping the reality of the battle we are fighting.  

Eye protection on and weapon in hand...We're ready!