Keep Shining!

King Solomon was correct when he said in Eccleasiastes 1:9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

This morning I read that  the Old Testament’s  Israelite King Manasseh had the longest reign in Judah’s history. II Chronicles 33:1  Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years  2 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished;  

-High places were used to worship false gods such as Baal or Molech.

 What  jumped out to me  this morning was that Manasseh rebuilt the high places that his father  the godly King Hezekiah had demolished.  The high places were an affront, an insult to the True and Living God. Manasseh’s father King Hezekiah was right in destroying those blasphemous places . God was pleased with Hezekiah for doing this. Then here comes  his son Manasseh repeating the sins of those who preceded his godly father.  Manasseh even made it worse.  He brought in more false gods than every king before him. 

Manasseh did not make a mistake. He didn’t care. He knew it was wrong to rebuild those dens of inquiry, but he  did it anyway. Manasseh was defiant. 

Today in 2025 we are witnessing the same  defiance. This administration is rebuilding the walls of hatred and exclusion. Many tears and much care went into tearing down the protective barriers of prejudice and hatred.  The Civil Rights Movement did not just benefit oppressed people of color,  specifically African Americans. The talent, beauty and diversity of tearing down the walls of hatred in the USA revealed the hidden truth  that we all are created equal. Trying to level the playing field uncovered the fact that we are stronger together.

This malicious assault on the evolving greatness of working together is more than heart breaking it  could be soul destroying.  However we must refuse to let that happen. Independent companies don’t have to bow and can refuse to participate in taking the country backwards. As a citizen you don’t have to go backwards in thinking that its alright to mistreat people or not hired a qualified person  because of the color of their skin or any other identifying characteristic.

I ask that you join me in not letting the actions of the last few days blind us to the fact that there are more of us who desire a country that work’s for the majority and not just a few billionaires. Look at the World’s  history,  minority rule is not even good for those who believe they can do what they want. We are going to have to work harder  to overcome this intruding darkness by shining our little lights. As long as one of us is left standing shining our lights darkness  cannot overcome us.  Deep in my heart I  do believe that we shall overcome. 

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate;only love can do that."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

D