Jeffrey Epstein And The Problem Of Us

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” Unknown

Our American culture has been sexually charged for a long time. My dad is 71 and in his lifetime we have moved from a married couple sleeping in separate beds to what we see on TV most nights of the week. I am often appalled by commercials in prime time while we are watching a basketball game with our kids. We have come a really long way and not in a good way.

I understand how it happens, because as a culture…..

We have watched the TV shows.

We have laughed at the commercials.

We have bought the products they are selling.

We have streamed the content.

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”

You read the articles about Jeffrey Epstein and every person I know is shocked, appalled, and horrified. The story is a grotesque example of the super rich taking whatever they want at the expense of anyone and everyone. It is appalling. It is depraved. It is the worst of our society.

I’m sure there are plenty of people to blame. You can look at his childhood and upbringing. You can look at the governing authorities who didn’t do their job and hold him accountable. You can look at the rich and powerful who turned a blind eye. You can look at Epstein himself who is accountable for his actions.

But, what about culture?

Let me ask it another way: Is Jeffrey Epstein a predictable result of a culture that has lost their way? Is he a predictable result of a culture who has turned away from God’s plan for sex, marriage, and purity? Maybe Jeffrey Epstein isn’t just a super rich problem, a powerful people problem, a depraved personality problem, or even just a governing authority problem. Maybe Jeffrey Epstein, at least in part, is an us problem. You and me.

Maybe we need stop laughing.

Maybe we need to stop watching.

Maybe we need to stop streaming.

Maybe we need to stop buying.

In addition to pointing fingers, and believe me, many fingers need to be pointed and people held accountable, but in addition to that, maybe we need to look in a mirror. Maybe we need to ask, am I contributing to this sexually charged and immoral culture?

When a story like this breaks it is an opportunity. You can seize the opportunity to be angry and cynical….this story certainly provides plenty of opportunity for those things. But, maybe, there is another opportunity. An opportunity to reflect, make changes, and turn to God.