Expose the Darkness

Meditation

Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.

(Ephesians 5:11)

There are a lot of really terrible things happening all around us, every day. Drug and alcohol abuse are rampant, tearing families apart. Domestic violence is tearing many more apart. Reports of sexual abuse and pedophilia claims are always in the news. Do I even have to mention the slaughter of unborn babies every day in every part of the world? How much sicker can this tired old world get? At times, it feels like some people take that question as a challenge, and then try to make it even sicker. How are we supposed to deal with the wickedness that is on every side, no matter where we try to turn? We can’t seem to escape the shadows of all the darkness.

On top of all that, there is political strife, with each side screaming at each other. No one seems to be able to calmly discuss their differences anymore. That means there’s a whole lot of yelling, but very little listening. There is also tension between the races. We have recently had years of really good race relations, but lately we have drastically taken several steps backward. Someone is always trying to stir the pot for their own personal gain, be it political aspirations, or even from some pulpits. They don’t care how much they’re hurting society, as a whole.

I admit, I’m bad when it comes to politics. I don’t want to be, but when my buttons get pushed, I’m off to the races. My fangs come out and I want my point, my side, to come out on top. I have been allowing them to turn me into a pagan, just like they are, and I don’t like it at all. Just recently, I’ve decided not to respond on social media when a point I’m trying to make is attacked by someone on the other side. Since then, it’s happened three times and three times I’ve managed not to respond. I am still a raw piece of clay being molded by the potter.

Of course, as believers in the one true God, and followers of his Christ, we should have nothing to do with any of the evil that hovers around. I know, as a Christian man, I must never be an abuser of any kind, sexual, physical, or emotional. I must also not be a drunkard or indulge in the use of illicit drugs. I must also try to maintain an even and honest temperament. Getting angry never solves anything, and yelling makes me look like a fool. At the same time, if I find out someone is doing any of those things, while trying to keep things under wraps, I must expose it. Tell a preacher, or if the offense is bad enough, tell a policeman, but tell someone.

Prayer Time

Father God, you are the light of the world, who chases away the darkness. Thank you for turning us around and showing us the way out of that ugly, sin filled blackness. We remember the moment of suddenly feeling like a burden has been lifted and the brightness of your glory shown down upon us. Father, we know there is still darkness all around us. Never let us just go along with the evil that hides there. Let us be your light to shine into the darkness and expose it. We’re thinking of the people hiding in the darkness with a needle poised at a vein. Father lead us to them, so we can show them they don’t need a chemical to take away their pain. They need only you. We’re thinking of the women who will be walking into abortion clinics today to do the unthinkable. Help them, Lord, to see that killing their babies is not going to solve their problems but only add to them. We’re thinking of the people who are heart sick and contemplating suicide. Help us to find them and lead them to the heart healer, Jesus Christ. It’s in his precious name, we pray. Amen!