Jesus asked, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” the man replied, “for we are many.”
Mark 5:9
In today’s culture it is difficult to know who we truly are? Multi-platform marketing, astonishing advertisements, and a plethora of poignant propaganda pursue us at a dizzying rate every day. Deciphering who we are and what we stand for has become a relentless chore. Like the demon-possessed man, it is much easier to cast blame on the multitude of voices pulling us in different directions rather than face responsibility for ourselves.
Throughout Scripture, Jesus has a way of requiring people to face the reality of their situation. This man, Legion, is forced to live a life enslaved to the multitude of voices that set up shop within him. With each and every force that enters his life, his own independence dwindles away. He begins to war against his family and community. It gets so bad for the man that his family disowns him and his community no longer recognizes the man as one of their own. But when the Prince of Peace shows up, the man is restored. The voices are silenced and the forces of chaos flee leaving the man to face his own reality.
What voices are using you? Are there outside forces causing chaos in your life today? There is a famous saying attributed to the movie star Irene Dunn that claims: “If we don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything.” Contemporary culture offers us anything and everything. Although this sounds like freedom, it quickly becomes enslavement seeking the next newest fad.
What voices are you listening to? Take the time to think about what hope you will stand for. There are many great things to stand for and celebrate in our country. As for me, I will freely celebrate the true freedom found in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
Jonathan Sullivan is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, 1201 Western Circle Dr., in Dimmitt, Texas. Small groups meet on Sunday morning at 9:30 and Worship is at 8:30am and 10:30am. Check us out at fbcdimmitt.com for more events and times. Come celebrate with us.