The Conservative Yogi

Vivid green hues light up the night sky as the Northern Lights gracefully move over a silhouetted forest, presenting one of nature's magnificent displays.

I've been called worse, just joking. Well, maybe not. I've been labeled with many names due to my Christian beliefs, renewed faith, and traditional views and values. I could say it's because of the current political and religious state of the world, but I believe it's not just a recent issue. It's been a gradual opposition to Christ, rules, and values.

Believing in God inherently involves believing in Satan; the two are inseparable. I've been engaging in a lot of introspection and have discovered some insightful books and writings, including the Bible, that explore the dual nature of the relationship between God and Satan. I've begun creating a "list" for myself to understand how I can improve.

In Isaiah 45:22, God invites us to "Turn to Me." Over time, Satan has subtly and persistently led many to depend on others, drawing them away from God. This trend is evident almost everywhere today. The desire for validation from others, especially through social media—platforms originally intended for sharing, enjoyment, and occasional news updates—has grown. These platforms have, in various ways, become places where people obsess over likes, followers, and comments, feeling unsatisfied without these superficial validations. Our focus should be on living in a way that, if God had social media, His "like" would be the only one that matters. We should consider, "What would God comment on this?" Instead, Satan has infiltrated platforms once meant for fun and escape, transforming them into tools that divert humanity from God.

On the seventh day, He rested. I recall when the Sabbath, the seventh day, was respected. It was a day of rest; stores were closed, families attended Mass, and shared Sunday dinner. Satan sought to disrupt this routine, another method to distance us from God and weaken the family unit (a topic for another blog post). Looking back, there's a pattern, a sinister plan. More mothers began working, under the guise of equal rights and feminism. As more people worked, the demand for services increased, leading to the need for extended hours. Once Satan felt confident that he had convinced people the Day of Rest was unimportant, he escalated this notion, making constant busyness a badge of honor. Remember the TV shows and movies from the '80s depicting women in business attire with running shoes to move quickly? It was meant to be "cute," but it conveyed the message that being in a rush equated to importance. Being overextended suggested significance. Getting only a few hours of sleep meant having so much to do, which implied importance.

These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the places I've observed Satan's presence; he is as pervasive as God. However, unlike God, Satan resorts to tricks, disguises, and delves deep into our psyche to persuade us to follow him. Some might not even recognize it as following Satan, but whenever we reject God, whether intentionally or not, it gives Satan a foothold.