Author Darlene J. Conard

Amid a bustling street, a concerned crowd encircled Bartimaeus, their voices blending with the surrounding noise as they sought to suppress him. “Shhh, be quiet,” they pleaded, the urgency evident in their tones. However, their attempts were useless as Bartimaeus’s cry gained in volume, echoing through the atmosphere with an air of defiance.

In today’s society, there is a movement to silence us. There is social pressure to respect and use correct pronouns for all individuals, including their pets, and to be cautious in addressing LGBTQ+ issues. For instance, mislabeling someone by referring to them using incorrect gender pronouns (e.g., calling “he” as “she” or vice versa) is counted as an offense.

I recently came across a video of a waiter accused of discrimination because he did not use the pronouns preferred by a customer. Seeing how much confusion and conflict exists in our society around issues such as these is concerning.

The message does not branch from hate or discrimination; it revolves around individuals wrestling with confusion regarding their identity. The influence of negative forces has muddied the clarity of their thoughts and perceptions. Right is being called wrong, and wrong is being called right.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 KJV

We should pray that those who do not know right from wrong may see the light and be converted. All souls matter to God. We cannot stand by in silence.

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