The Bitter Aftertaste

Coca-Cola Blak was going to be the next big thing. Introduced in 2006, this drink was a mix of Coke and coffee.  Immediately I was allured.  Coke?  Coffee?  What's not to love?  A sugary, sweet, caffeinated delight. I couldn't wait to try it.

I bought my first Coke Blak, and took a big sip.  

"Coke...Mmmmmm!  Coffee...Mmmmmm.  What? Blech!"  

The drink had 3 distinct flavors when you tasted it.  The first two, coke and coffee were delicious. But the after taste was so repugnant, I had to take another sip to see if I had imagined it. Yuck! Still there!  I joked that instead of calling it Coke Blak, they should name it Coke Blech!  Evidently I wasn't alone in my opinion, as the drink was discontinued in 2008.

It reminds me of the allure of forbidden fruit (sin). We often seek things that look pleasing to the eye or that seem like they may delight, so we take a sip.   At first we may encounter sweetness, but make no mistake.  Forbidden fruit always, always, always comes with a bitter aftertaste.

What is tempting you to take just a sip?  It's not worth the bitter aftertaste. Do not try the fruit that is tempting you.  Because like Coke Blak, if you avoid it long enough, eventually it will be discontinued.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Light in the Darkness or Light in the Light?

Last week I blogged about being in the world, but not of the world. It's a difficult balance, as Christians, to be relevant to those outside the faith while still standing apart from worldly things. Too often in our efforts to avoid being of the world, we cease to be "in" the world as well. But how can we be salt and light to the world, if we never enter into the world?

Have you ever shined a flash light during the day.  It doesn't do much, does it? But turn on the same light at night and it makes a huge impact. If, as Christians, we only "shine our light" to other Christians, yes we will still be a light, but nothing compared to if we shine our light into the darkness.

Jesus associated with the tax collectors, lepers, prostitutes, and sinners. He shunned the pharisees (religious leaders) of his day. He offered salvation to all, and loved us while we were still sinners.

My world is small, and I am surrounded by light. It is easy to shine in this environment. Am I courageous enough, and relevant enough, to dare to face the darkness, and shine my light there? Are you?

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16