But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. Proverbs 4:19

I’ve been a Believer for more than 25 years. To be honest, I don’t remember what it was like living in darkness. Sure, I remember the trouble I got myself into, and I do remember despair at times, but I forget the deep darkness as the writer of Proverbs talks about.

If we’re not careful, we can easily forget what it was like to live in utter darkness, not having a way out or not even knowing that we should get out. Sometimes, though, we need to step back a bit and ponder what the deep darkness that unbelievers feel is all about. We obviously don’t need to delve into the lifestyles they lead, but we still need to understand and empathize with the “wicked” without becoming wicked ourselves.

Consider that one or two people you’ve been praying for for years. What’s it like when he/she lies on the bed at night thinking about life? What kind of passions do they have? Ask God to give you insight into what makes them tick. Something drives them day by day. Something spurs them on. What is it? Finding out that may be the key to effectively reaching out to them.