John the Baptist came into this world as a messenger with a mission – “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Mark 1:2 ESV).
It seems like Satan invents new “crooked paths” every day. This morning our local Fox 19 broke the story of “shade pages” on Instagram (t.ly/lJx1). These “shade pages” allow teens to post rumors and gossip about anyone in their school.
Can you imagine being a teen going to school during COVID-19? They must recognize that their anxiety is normal. To cope they must create distractions. They must find new ways to connect socially – but keep it to groups of less than 10 and remain 6ft apart! Wow! Who wants to shout – “are you kidding me”!
Then, as if this is not hard enough, someone invents “shade pages”.
Many years ago, “Saul of Tarsus” was instructed to go to a street named Straight. There God helped him to regain his sight and set him forever on a straight path.
A little later, after traveling a straight road from Salamis to Paphos he came across a crooked Jewish Prophet called Bar-Jesus (nickname was Elymas). This “magician” was with the Proconsul, Sergius Paulus – an intelligent man whom Paul was trying to teach. Here is the rest of the story from Acts 13 (ESV):
8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not STOP MAKING CROOKED THE STRAIGHT PATHS OF THE LORD? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
It is significant that Paul changes this man’s name from “Son of Jesus” to “son of the devil”.
Father God, help us to step out of the shade as we strive to walk in the light, never placing any stumbling blocks on your Straight narrow path.
