Who Is Your Master

The world in which we live demands for us to choose our master. Our master will guide us, shape our priorities, and protect us from outside dangers. Our nation was built upon the idea that each person is his own master, and has the freedom to guide and shape himself, and to set his own priorities. The sense of individual freedoms has been the hallmark of the American dream since this great nation was established. For sure there have been some, and there will continue to be some, who express their individual freedom by oppressing and defeating others. Some even kill to defend “their version” of freedom.

Such was the case this week in Charleston, SC., when a young man influenced by the idea that his way of life was more important than the life of nine of his fellow human beings. Early reports revealed a young man who, in his mind, believed “blacks were taking over” and that he had to stop them. This young man chose a master. The one he chose as his master is dedicated to the death and destruction of all things good and loving. His master is selfish and cunning. His master doesn’t know how to allow others the same freedoms that he enjoyed. His master is filled with rage and hate. And his master will stop at nothing to gain your loyalty as well.

Jesus Christ said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6.22) Events such as the tragedy in Charleston can serve as a reminder that every day we are faced with who we will choose as our master. Will we choose God, the master of love, compassion and freedom, or will we choose his enemy? Our master guides us, and shapes us, and protects us and leads us to Life. His enemy will lead to hate, rage, and death. May the memory of those killed in Charleston, and all those killed by evil influence, be eternal.