On the Issue

Pornography

Who will set them free?
Who?
Who will release them from their bonds?
Bondage
Dreadful bondage
The men who sit incarcerated
Fastened to a wall
Of shame
Trapped
Oppressed
Shackled by desire
Trapped
But they face it with bravado
Or ignorance
Unawareness of their imprisonment
Forgetful of freedom
In their windowless room
They have lost the sun
And a flickering lamp fills the void
They call man's handicraft
Daylight
The call the settling of dust
Wind
The memory of freedom
Is as feeble as their strength
But nonetheless
They smile
Thinking all is well
For prison seems normal
All around
Are men in chains
Men under burdens
So no one speaks of the captivity
Do they know?
They must
Somewhere deep inside
They must be aware that they suffer
They must
Perhaps if you look
Carefully
You can see it in their eyes
The eyes
That led them astray
The eyes
Long glazed over
By years of looking into the void
Who will set them free?
Who?
Who will be the rescuer?
He
Only he
Jesus
He alone has strength
And he can break the chains
If only they would come
Come
If only they would rise
Shake off the muck
And reach
Reach
And seek to take hold
Of those deep-scarred hands
Tender
But terribly strong
And he will crush the fetters
Shatter the stocks
And open the door
Of the unspoken prison
Letting in a light
A radiance
Bright enough to purge
That their eyes might remember truth
If only they would come
Someone shake their chains
They all suppose they suffer
Let them know it is true
Let them know there is freedom
It is near
It is attainable
Someone shake their chains
Let the rattling of cold iron
Awaken them
Remind them of the sound of bells
Of freedom
There is freedom
He is freedom
He alone
Let them know

Lately, there has been a great deal of talk amongst certain groups at my school about the issue of pornography and its presence and effect on our campus. Pornography is a terrible berden to those who fall under its curse, and what is worst: people don't talk about it. It is an addiction veiled in fear, in shame. It is almost a taboo. Despite the general sentiment that pornography is an evil in our society, it is brushed under the rug either because it is considered a "normal" male weakness or simply because no one knows how to address it. This is even more evident in Christian circles where pretence has a tendency to overpower truth. What men on my campus, in my community, in my country, and around the world need is freedom from pornography. So many other issues can be linked to this so often secret sin, this double standard. Christ is so much more than willing to free his children, but first they must be made aware of their oppression, and then they must desire grace. Once they do, Jesus will be there waiting for them, ready to wash away the stain and fill it with his Spirit.
Pray that men will stand.
Pray for freedom.
Pray.