Dictionary:

antidote

(?n‘t?-d?t‘)

n.

1. A remedy or other agent used to neutralize or counteract the effects of a poison.
2. An agent that relieves or counteracts: jogging as an antidote to nervous tension.

I began thinking about antidotes today after noticing a rash of commercials promoting their product as an antidote to this or an antidote to that. When you look at the definition above you realize that being an antidote is a worthwhile kingdom goal for all of us!

So many times the people sitting next to us in Starbucks or in line at the grocery store are mired in problems for which there seems to be no cure. But we know differently. We are the antidote that points them to the cure. Jesus calls us to a radical, kingdom response to the toxins in our society. We aren’t supposed to dabble with the poison, we are supposed to administer the cure.

Knowing this, where do we need to apply the kingdom antidotes to society’s toxic poisons? How about these for a starter?

• Consumerism and over-spending
• Hurry and frantic, over-scheduled speed
• Selfishness in relationships
• Greed
• Blindness to social justice
• Worry

I could go on, but that list is already a lifetime of work administering antidotes. How about you? Do you need an antidote? Are you an antidote?  I’ve convicted myself with my words today, but I’m willing to walk down the road and see what happens. Today — which is all I can control — today I will be an antidote.

This is my entry for Watercooler Wednesday at Randy Elrod’s blog.