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)
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:
Romans 6:19-23, Romans 8:1-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17
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:
Romans 6:19-23, Romans 8:1-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17
Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.
