(Post by: Madie Hobbs)
In one of my favorite episodes of one of my favorite detective shows, the main character is tracking down a serial killer specifically trying to get the detective’s attention. To do this, he’s committing crimes which have direct correlations with old opera plots, which the detective finds a sort of outlet in outside of work by studying the meanings behind them and listening to the compositions.
When the criminal comes close to killing the detective’s mentor, only a last-minute intervention saves this drama from becoming a true tragedy. As the criminal is led away from the scene, he taunts the detective, reminding him he will never be capable of saving everyone he sets out to, and specifically brings to mind an incident where the detective failed in saving someone very close to him.
Following this hurtful blow, the detective’s superior officer tells him he should really get back to manning a desk instead of solving actual crimes.
As the criminal is led away, and the curtains begin to close, the detective stands with his mentor atop the building where the final act took place. Tears begin to well up in the detective’s eyes, and he’s turns to his mentor utterly dejected when he should be elated.
“How do you do it?” he asks. “How do you leave it at the front door?”
The mentor turns to him, a softness in his usually serious eyes.
“You have to find something worth defending,” he answers.
“I thought I had,” the detective says defeatedly.
“Music?” the mentor inquires. “Music’s as good as anything, I suppose.” The seriousness returns to his eyes and his tone. “Go home,” he instructs, “put your best record on, loud as it will go. And with every note, you remember, that’s something the darkness couldn’t take from you.”
I love all the exchanges between these two characters, but this one is by far my favorite. I usually watch this episode, and contemplate this exchange, whenever I’m wondering why everything in life is worth the battle.
There have been many instances in my life, where I have felt as though not a single thing I cherished had been left untouched by darkness. As though everything I held dear would sooner or later experience the decay of depravity. I often echo the detective’s question in wondering how you leave the destruction at the front door.
But then I am reminded that I have the ability to decide what I allow to be affected by sin and destruction, and what I pour life into each and every day. You see, this is where we often get it wrong. We act as if the things in our lives will forever be subject to the powers of darkness preying on our world. We forget that we have the solution; the power to overcome the darkness, not be subjected to it.
When we devote every aspect of our lives to the Lord, light and life will flow from it. Now, understand me, this does not mean the darkness will not try to attack, and will simply stand by as we pursue joy and beauty. But it does mean that when our lives are built on a foundation of trust in Jesus, the enemy doesn’t have the power to tear it down.
The attacks will come, the rains will fall, and the trials will be difficult, but with every note of the glorious symphony of teeming life, we must remember, that is something the darkness can never take from us.
This week, examine your life. Examine the things you love and want to see nourished by the Holy Spirit and not degraded by darkness. Those things may be your children, your home, your relationship, your friendships, anything you want to dedicate to the Lord’s will. Give it to Him, and rest in the fact that anything entrusted the hands of Jesus, will never be taken from you.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults and I give thanks to Him” (Psalm 28:7 ESV).
SO, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
= What are you choosing to pour life into each day?
= What are you going to do differently?
The Few 
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