By David Grousnick

One day a young father was shopping in a crowded super-market. His three-year old son was with him. The little boy was riding in the grocery cart… and he was misbehaving terribly and causing all kinds of problems.

Every time the father would put something into the cart, the little boy would grab it and throw it back out. If the cart went close to the shelves, the three-year old boy would just rake stuff off onto the floor.

At one point, the little boy crawled out of the cart and ran down the aisle (knocking over every display he could get his hands on) with his father in hot pursuit.

People who were in the store at the time could hear the father saying out loud over and over, “Just be patient, Tommy. It won’t be much longer Tommy. It’ll be O.K., Tommy. Be calm, Tommy. Hang in there, Tommy.”

Finally, a distinguished looking woman came up to the man and she said: “I just want to compliment you. I’ve been watching you and I want you to know that I admire you and the remarkable patience you have with little Tommy.”

“Oh, but Lady,” the man said. “You don’t understand. His name is Michael. I’m Tommy!!!”

Well, that’s a smart man! He was right to start with himself. If we are going to set a problem right, we have to get ourselves set right first.

Some time ago, a young lawyer came to see his pastor. He was down in the dumps, at his wit’s end.

He said: “Everything’s gone wrong. I have lost confidence in my professional ability… my wife has left me. I can’t get along with my children. I’m cut off from my parents and my in-laws. I’m having conflicts with my co-workers.

“I’ve been drinking heavily. Everybody has left me… and I don’t blame them. I’ve been bitter and hostile. I’ve done so many mean and cruel things… and now I have so many problems (and then he literally said this)…. “My troubles are Legion!”

He paused and took a deep breath. Then, he leaned forward and said: “To tell you the truth, I think all those problems and troubles are symptoms. My real problem is that I don’t like myself… and that taints everything I touch and do.”

Well, he was probably right. When you are at war with yourself, it smudges and distorts every relationship. On the other hand, when we feel good about ourselves, we are more loving, more patient, more thoughtful, more gracious… toward everyone we see.

Does the story of the Gerasene demoniac in Luke 8:26-39 speak to OUR day as it did its own? Absolutely!

To the church which battles the demons of social evil, the message is that there is hope in Jesus.

To individuals for whom there is an everyday battle ongoing with the demon of depression, the message is that there is hope in Jesus.

To those who battle the demon of fear, the message is that there is hope in Jesus.

Those who fight the demon of addiction, the message is that there is hope in Jesus.

And to those who have so many battles going on against so many demons that their name is LEGION, the message is that there is hope in Jesus.

The story in Luke 8:26-39 illustrates a profound truth about the nature of life. That which is left unattended seems to disintegrate.

In other words, get the devil out but put something in his place.

Have a great weekend!