Getting Used to the Dark
Cut Flowers of Morality
I decided to watch a few videos after reading Matthew Petrusek’s book Evangelization and Ideology this week. One in particular was very interesting as it featured so many of our authors. This video opened with a story by Petrusek about morality in our society today, or the lack thereof. He used the imagery of flowers in a garden. He said, “We’ve cut the flowers of our morality, and now the flowers are wilting and rotting… It’s the failure of secularism.” [1] He explained that, theoretically speaking, it’s time to put those moral flowers back into the dirt as a society. [2]
My project these past three years has been teenage pregnancy in the Choctaw community. I began by taking a look at those who had gotten pregnant while in their teens in our own Native American church over just a few short years. It was nearly twenty-five percent. I knew the number would be high, but I hadn’t expected it to be that high. I compared that figure with known pregnancies for the year in our tribal school for the same age group. The figure was comparable. Now, there are, of course, many reasons for this problem among young people. However, one reason might be related to Matthew Petrusek’s “rotting flowers” and a lack of morality.
In his book, Petrusek stressed the need for Christians to be able to discourse with those with whom they disagree rather than arguing with one another. [3] He said we need discourse to succeed and thrive, and I agree. [4] Then, he discussed four primary types of ideologies: utilitarianism, liberalism, progressivism, and non-theistic conservatism. At the end of the book he offered practical suggestions for evangelists. While I learned a lot about each of these ideologies individually, for the sake of this blog, I would like to focus on one of the practical suggestions.
Suggestion for Evangelists
Remember: God does the sowing and the harvesting – but we tend the ground. [5] How does this apply to my project? Well, the problem is overwhelming from man’s point of view. But I’m not called to sow and harvest… I’m called to tend the ground and let God give the increase. Petrusek asks in a quote of Mark 13:23-37, how many will accept Christ’s invitation? It’s not ours to know. But we better not be caught standing still in the fields or, worse, asleep when he returns. [6]
Getting Used to the Dark
There’s a song I’d like to close with that reminds me of our lack of morality today. Even we, as believers, sometimes struggle in this area. The song “Getting Used to the Dark” was made popular by The McKameys.
Verse 1:
Christian’s lives are wrecked by sin, and we blame it on the world we’re in.
We say there’s nothing we can do instead of being a shining light,
We’re just doing right in our own eyes. As Christians, we’re not doing our part,
We’re just getting used to the dark.
Chorus:
We’re getting used to the dark; we’re getting used to the dark.
We’re not praying to change any hearts. We’re just getting used to the dark.
Verse 2:
Sin’s all around us, yet we don’t think this world’s really as bad as it seems,
We just close our eyes to what’s going on; we’re not burdened for the sinner man,
Won’t give our brother a helping hand. It’s time we show this world a little spark,
Instead of getting used to the dark.
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About the Author
Tonette Kellett
Missionary, teacher, Bible student, traveler ... Having lived in Kenya and Korea, I now live in Mississippi and work with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.7 responses to “Getting Used to the Dark”
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Tonette, thank you for sharing. I look forward to seeing you Pecha Kucha!
It is a hard balance to live “in this world but not of it.” God does not want for us to “Get used to the dark.” I appreciate the reminder that we are called to tend our ground. I am responsible for my calling, not anyone else’s calling. We each have our part to play in the body of Christ. Continue to shine your light my friend.
Becca,
Thank you for your encouragement. Press on in your calling, too. You shine your light beautifully for all to see as you draw others to the Lord through your life.
Reading your blog made me excited to see the fruition of your project. Thank you for your insights Tonnett!
David,
I’m excited about sharing our projects and seeing everyone else’s on April 10th, which will be here before we know it! Thank you for your encouragement.
Tonette,
I watched the same 107 YOU Tube and liked the imagery he used in describing the cut flowers.
You referenced your research project and it made me curious how you went about your project!
“My project these past three years has been teenage pregnancy in the Choctaw community.”
I enjoyed reading your blog.
Thanks Tonette!
Kristy,
I love that we viewed the same project and referenced the same analogy by chance. It was a good one. I am excited about sharing the details of our projects with each other on April 10th. We’ll hear what each other has been working on in detail these past three years. It will be great!
Thanks for a great post Tonette,
Next time we meet, I would love to hear you sing this beautiful song!!