Trapped in Darkness

I have to admit that I only read a very small percentage of the assigned reading from my high school years, but one short story that I did read I have never forgotten because I thought it was so profound (though it has been a while so forgive me if the details are a little shaky). It was an allegory by Plato about men who been held captive in a cave all of their lives and were told that the cave was all there was in the world. One man, eventually, managed to escape and find his way outside. When he first saw the light of the sun it blinded him. After his eyes adjusted he saw the wonder of a whole new world with trees, birds, streams, and beautiful blue sky. He was in awe and decided that his fellow captives had to see this, so he went back to tell them and try to set them free. As he explained it to them they refused to believe him thinking it was a trick! These men were trapped in their darkness because they thought that it was all there was; that it was completely normal. Mary called recently trapped in a similar darkness. Her mother was an abusive alcoholic. Mary’s life consisted of being slapped around and verbally bashed by her mother so often that she thought it was completely normal. She had never known anything else and was convinced that most people’s home lives were like her own. For most of her life Mary literally thought the only purpose for make up was to cover up bruises left by her mother. She talked about the shock she experienced when she realized that her relationship with her abusive mother was not at all normal. Mary was calling because she needed someone to talk to about all of this. The HopeCoach listened brokenhearted for a very long time as story after story about the things her mother had said and did came out. He encouraged her, told her how wonderful and valuable she is, and shared with her about the great love of God. Afterwards he connected her with our partner ministry that offers free professional counseling. Mary’s story reminds me that we live in a dark world where, for some, the darkness is so thick that the people in it have no concept of anything else; anything better. Her story reminds me that I am to “walk as a child of light” (Ephesians 5:8) and “expose” the darkness that has so many trapped thinking there cannot be anything different than what they know.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket; but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16