Studying Arts, Literature particularly, has increased my love for history.
When I study the works of pacesetters and geniuses of poetry, I am in awe at what human minds could produce even in centuries that were void of easy access to information and education as our age.
But inasmuch as I admire their talents and works, I also study their personal lives to see what lessons I can learn them.
One of the poets who fascinate me most is Edgar Allen Poe. Edgar is among the pioneers of detective fiction, cosmological poetry and short story telling. His works received several positive reviews and awards during his lifetime.
Amongst other poets, why did I choose to mention Edgar Allen Poe in this brief diary entry. Keep reading, and you’ll discover why.
Despite his popularity, fame and literary success, Edgar had a horrible personal life. He was an Alcoholic, and lacked self-control.
Edgar’s addiction to alcohol made him drunk, publicly on several occasions. It also contributed to his collapsed marriage. The death of his wife worsened it.
Edgar became a radical Alcoholic. And some time later, he passed away from complications which could be traced to his Alcoholic addiction.
He had a successful career, but a horrible life. He was a great author, yet, a miserable Alcoholic . He was an incredible public figure, yet a terrible person. His weakness did not stop his success, but it definitely cut it short.
Like Edgar, you might be very talented and professional in your specialty.
It could be poetry, education, storytelling, music etc. You might be an incredible craftsman, renowned and celebrated by all who come across your works, yet, in the midst of all these, you find yourself having a weakness, a hidden one, which keeps rising up when you’re away from the crowd and public admiration.
That weakness could be anger, a sexual sin, drunkenness etc. No one knows about it, and it seems pleasurable to your darkened mind. So you’ve decided to submit to the weakness secretly, and continue your journey to fame publicly.
That would be the greatest mistake of your life. Because that weakness, that negative addiction, when the whole world knows your name, will be used by Satan to tarnish your image and give you a miserable end.
He’s watching silently, crouching at the door of your heart, like a little puppy. He’s waiting for the time when the whole world knows your name, and then he will take hold of your weakness and use it to make you take a detour into your downfall.
Don’t tolerate that secret sin!
Samson was a successful warrior. He was recorded among the list of the greatest of Jewish judges.
Yet, after he had done a public exploit, he would go to Delilah, an agent of the enemy, and take pleasure in her soothing laps.
He never identified with her publicly, but behind closed doors, he submitted his head- his authority and his will, to her hands.
He never envisaged his downfall. But Satan did. And when the time was right, Samson fell miserably. His eyes were gorged out. The great warrior became the blind spectacle.
Behold how the mighty falls and learn!
Mark 9:43: “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”
Subdue that weakness before it subdues you.
KOINONIA ART 