📺 Growing up in the 1980s, every Saturday morning was a ritual. We’d gather in front of the TV with a big bowl of Captain Crunch and dive into the best cartoons of the era: Transformers, G.I. Joe, Disney’s Gummi Bears, The Smurfs, and my personal favorite, X-Men. What made it even better was that every kid in the neighborhood was watching the exact same shows.
That meant when our parents finally kicked us outside in the afternoon, we had endless things to talk about—epic battles, cool storylines and the hottest new toys. But before that happened around 11:30 or so, Mom would switch off the TV and announce it was “Clean Up Time.” We’d grumble quietly, then scatter to our chores: washing dishes, vacuuming, scrubbing bathrooms, and of course, tidying our own rooms. After the rush of activity, we’d collapse at the kitchen table for lunch—usually a can of SpaghettiOs, or if we were really lucky, Chef Boyardee ravioli—pure 1980s kid heaven. Mom would inspect our work, and more often than not, we’d missed a spot or two and have to go back. But once everything passed inspection, the house felt clean, tidy, and just right. Then she’d pull open the curtains, and bright, warm sunlight would flood the room. What always struck me was how that pure light revealed all the dust and hidden debris that had been invisible in the shadows.
As I grew older, life lost that simple innocence. I got caught up in drugs, alcohol, and other destructive, illegal choices. That path brought serious trouble—nearly costing me my life and my freedom. When I eventually started exploring Christianity with an open mind and a willing heart, I realized my old ideas about Christians were completely off base. I used to picture them as perfect, goody-two-shoes types—like Ned Flanders—people who never messed up. But when I actually read the Bible, and lived a little more life I learned the truth: we’re all sinners, even the most dedicated churchgoers. The real issue is that most of us think we’re basically good people. We compare ourselves to others and say, “I’m not a criminal. I don’t hurt people. I like the way I am.” Yet when the pure, holy light of God’s glory shines on us—like that Saturday sunlight pouring in—it exposes every flaw, every hidden failing. The Bible puts it plainly: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) It even says that our very best, most selfless efforts are like “filthy rags” compared to God’s perfect standard. (Isaiah 64:6) If the bar is that high, then on our own, every one of us is shut out of Heaven. But here’s the incredibly good news—the gospel. From the beginning, people tried to bridge the gap with sacrifices and good deeds. But in the fullness of time, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t, showed us the way, and made a way for us to be transformed and right with God. His perfect sacrifice is the only one able to cleanse us from all our sins. My own life was wrecked by addiction and low living. But when I finally took Jesus at His word and surrendered to Him, something real happened. The light shined down and I knew Jesus was all that he said he was, the Way the Truth and the Life. It wasn’t always instant magic though—it was also a process: reading the Bible, fumbling through prayers, having honest talks with other believers, and consistently showing up at church.
But when you get real with Jesus, He gets real with you. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Whoever the Son sets free is truly free. That freedom is available to anyone who turns to Him—no matter how far they’ve wandered. 📺
See More “Something to THINK About”