Happiness does not go with scheming in the dark
A friend of mine is always unhappy. One mishap after the other befalls him. At one time he nearly lost everything. Although he is now doing well financially, he is very lonely. His friends hang around, but when they leave there is a deep loneliness inside him. He comes to see me, close to tears. He doesn’t really know happiness: “I feel empty. There is something missing inside me. Why am I here on earth?”
I know what my friend’s problem is, but I’ve been weary of telling him. But I gather courage and tell him that I feel the way he does; things aren’t always right. I can see that my words make him angry, but I push on. I ask him whether he is prepared to have me and his mother and his wife with him through the day. When he is with his friends? When he is doing major deals? When he is driving his car?
He comes back, realizing that I do want to help him.
I must tell him. Sometimes the things he does are not done in the light. Sometimes it is pitch-dark. There would be consequences if those actions of his came to light.
My friend knows what is good and what is bad. He knows what is right and what is wrong. He knows what actions happen in the light and can be seen by everyone. He knows what he doesn’t really want to talk about and that he would prefer to keep away from all those who are close to him, and preferably also from God.
“Do you think God can’t see it?” I wonder out loud. I’m afraid he’ll hit me and watches his hands, but when he does nothing I continue bravely and ask him straight out: “Do you think that God can bless you if you sometimes scheme in the dark? Happiness does not go together with scheming in the dark!”
Yes, sometimes we try and deceive ourselves and do not realize why we are unhappy. The things we do become right. But is it?
There’s a very simple rule: 11Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are.
Watch out for that scheming in the dark. Don’t allow yourself to be slowly pulled towards where there is little light. Live above board and do not let things be traded under the covers. Do everything out in the open.
If a foreign object like a splinter sticks into your body, the body will work against that splinter, making it fester and pushing it out. Just like that actions of the dark will come to the surface sometime. Just look at the corruption in our country.
Therefore, this is a warning: 12It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. 13Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. 14Wake up from your sleep, climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light!
Very simple. Make sure that you always live in the light. Make sure that you take your spouse, your friend, your mother and even Jesus wherever you go. If you’re not embarrassed about something, you won’t mind Jesus’ light shining on it?
Reflection
Are there places in your life where the light doesn’t always shine?
Are you able to open your books to everyone?
Where do you have to live differently?
Prayer
Lord, I know what is right and what is wrong. I know where the light is shining and where not. Therefore I ask You, Lord, to let your Spirit take me by the hand to help me not to walk in the dark. Amen
