Feed
Me
By
Elizabeth Cole
“It is
for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians
5:1 (NIV)
It started out innocently enough. The flower shop was doing
poorly, but Seymour had come across a most unusual plant. Convincing his
employer, Mr. Mushnik, that this flower could be just the thing to turn
business around, Seymour displays “Audrey II” (named after the girl he loves)
in the window of Mushnik’s Flower Shop. And the customers stream in to see the
beautiful oddity.
All’s well at this point in the story. Audrey II is the best
thing that’s ever happened to Seymour. But late one night, alone in the dark of
the flower shop, Seymour discovers what his beloved plant really wants from him:
his blood. At this point, Little
Shop of Horrors turns into a classic, dark tragicomedy. At first,
Audrey II is satisfied with just a manageable amount of nourishment, but soon a
band-aid isn’t nearly enough to cover the evidence. And her pretty little
silence becomes a loud, booming bass voice shouting, “Feeeeed Meeee!” Shortly
after that, the truth comes out: Audrey II’s intention is to completely consume
both Seymour and everyone he cares for…which she proceeds to do quite
successfully by the end of the musical.
Ever notice how small secrets in our lives don’t stay that way
forever? Isn’t it interesting to note what we do in the darkness of night, or
in the darkness of privacy? How habits that begin as easy to hide behind a
“band-aid” start requiring more and more and more of our lives? Like a big, ol’
alien vampire-plant, they call out “feed me” and start consuming all that
matters most.
I don’t know a single person who purposefully set out to become
addicted. Addictions are insidious, seeming just fine…so manageable…at the
onset. But make no mistake, when fed, they will eventually kill. Kill
innocence, trust, relationships, health, hope.
Makes you glad to have a Savior who’s all about rescuing,
doesn’t it? A Friend who gave His blood so you wouldn’t have to. A Deliverer
who sets us free. Scripture makes it very clear that we have access to a power
that breaks bondage, a power that can starve an addiction and feed a life of
soul-freedom. No addiction…ever, anywhere…is beyond the reach of our Redeemer.
It is for freedom that you have been set free.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What are you feeding today?
2. Envision a life of soul-freedom. What will you do today, in
Christ’s power, to live it?
FURTHER READING:
Elizabeth is a wife
and mother of three grown daughters. She is the Director of Connecting and of
We Women at Oakwood Church.
