Execution

The electric chair, a method of execution in certain countries.


"Ah there's the problem, this wire came out..."

I was inspecting the Christmas tree lighting that wasn't functioning, and I came across a wire disconnected from the transformer. Without much thought, I took the wire and pushed it back in place with my left thumb.

ZAPPP

The electricity was good, it went up my left arm and towards my left shoulder. But my reflexes was good too, I hand jerked away as the current radiated towards the middle of my chest.

"Haha, I forgot to turn off the electricity!"

I still managed to crack a joke or two and continued fixing the Christmas tree lights as if that electric shock was nothing. (In fact, it was nothing at all)

The immediate effect the electric shock was a sudden increase in alertness. Never have I thought of how dangerous or deadly it was.

~

The next day, as I was on the way home from a debate session, I was deep in thought thinking about various events that occurred during the day. Somehow, my mind associated the phase "Allow them to opt for the death penalty instead" and "Electric chair" with the electric shock I experienced the day before.

I was fully aware the that the standards for electric current in Malaysia is 13 Amperes. A quick search up the internet then revealed that 1 Ampere is more than enough to cause instant death. I was shocked.

I ran downstairs and checked the wire that gave me the electric shock, and learned that it was the neutral wire which transports the lowered current (Probably less than milliamperes due to my body resistance) out from the Christmas lights. And next to that wire was the live wire, which delivers a whopping 13 Amperes and 240 Volts.

This fact got my head spinning in circles, what if I touched the live wire instead? It was just next to the neutral wire, a 50/50 chance. Life versus Death. If I did touch the live wire instead, I would have just disappeared from the face of this earth in a flash. No last words, no final request and worst of all, the last thing I see is a lifeless electrical appliance?

~

"You too must stand ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Luke 12:40

That night, I sat on my bed praying and thinking. The message was clear, God gave you many chances and this could be your last. (A related parable in Luke 13:6-9) Maybe being electrocuted to death is a peaceful way of dying. But will that bliss outweigh the pressure of being judged by God? He has every right and authority to throw this sinner down to hell.

Yes, I still want to live, to be here and to see you. However, God's decision transcends and supersedes all human will. Everything can be taken away if He wishes to.

This is yet another lesson on why we should be grateful for the things we already have.

I really hope that I lived up to His expectations when the time really comes.

~

Enough of the death talk.
I got a life to live. (:


...and an undang exam to study for.


Edit: Based on the book the driving school provided me with, I learned that I am severely colour blind!


I can't do the questions marked with a question mark.

I see:
17) 2
18) 6
19) 8
20) 5
22) 25
23) 5
24) 12

Argh, colour-ists...