WHY WON'T THAT LIGHT BULB SHINE?

THE LIGHT THAT WILL NOT SHINE

"You are the light of the world a city on the hill that cannot be hidden."
Matthew 5:14  JESUS SPEAKING.

 

 

     Recently, when I was speaking with someone about reaching out to others, I heard something that really got me to thinking:  The individual said, "I have nothing for them." I remember my son also, when he was teaching a class on Romans, talk about how that only a small percentage of the Church really are involved in ministry.  Yet as I think about these statements and what Jesus said above, it troubles me  that, even though Jesus was emphatic identifying us as the light of the world and a city that sitting up on a hill side, that it is so very easy for many of us to not resemble the identities he gave us.   It troubles me that there are some of us "light bulbs" that simply will not shine... or we are NOT the "brightest bulbs in the pack."

Why cannot the city be hidden?  Because it sticks out on the landscape for everyone to see.  And in that day the towns on the hill side are the places to which people would gravitate to get their supplies for life and sustenance. Thinking about this in modern times, consider flying in an airplane through the dark, and then look down as you come up on a city.  There is NO WAY to not see the lights unless you are completely visually challenged.  The city and the lights can't be hidden; however, they may very well receive different kinds of reactions from the people flying in the plane.

Likewise, people react differently to those of us whom Jesus called the "light of the world"  and unhideable city on a hill.  Those looking for the light will be drawn to us because they, in some mysterious way, have a longing for the light that will help bring them out of the darkness of their broken lives.  We don't "fix" their broken lives.  We just simply have such a relationship with Christ - even in our own brokenness - that allows his light to shine.  Again and again, I have seen Divine Intersections occur with such people: We connect. God's light touches them (not because of me but in spite of me.) I listen to them, and I share what I know about Jesus and his ability to transform my life and theirs. Then I see miracles occur that are indeed life changing. My only responsibility is to be in relationship to the light giver, let the light flow through me - with all my broken pieces - and then let the Holy Spirit draw those who are seeking the light to Jesus and a salvation relationship with God.  I actually pray for God to provide the Divine Intersections as a part of my daily journey.

Others who "love darkness more than light" will react in a negative way to the light bearer.  They may do like the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus journey time on earth, and they may even hate the light.  They may not understand that their foundation and core identity is darknessaphilia:  They really love the darkness, even though it is destroying them. Because they are so uncomfortable around light, they may literally hate the one making them (in their minds atleast) feel so very uneasy. I have seen people who, for NO reason I can figure out, hate me and say all kinds of derogatory things about me.  Just as the Scribes and Pharisees were constantly after Jesus to hurt him, there are people today similar to them when they intersect light bearing, city on a hill like Christ-Followers; therefore, I don't need to fear such people or any man or woman.  It is not about me in such cases.  It says far more about the one who hates the light.

So, "Why won't that light bulb shine?"  This is a very good question.  And in an over simplified way, I think it has to do with how we identify ourselves:  Do we really see ourselves as light bearing hill cities?  Do we think of ourselves, as Christ-Followers, who cannot help but stand out? Or do we see ourselves as being filled with flaws and imperfect people who cannot make a difference?  Do we see ourselves as people who regularly need to be "plugged in" to the light source of the Universe, which is Almighty God?   Or do we see ourselves as someone afraid to shine for fear of someone not liking us? Consequently, do we therefore see ourselves as covering up our lights and camouflaging our hill city life?  Do we see ourselves very literally as "The Light of The World."  Or do we see ourselves as darkness cursers whose job it is to put down bad behavior rather than walk among the broken, sinful and unclean?  Do we see ourselves as edifice safe church building protected Christians?  Or do we see ourselves being intentionally outside those "Four Walls" of the church seeking out God's Divine Intersections Daily? Are we looking at ourselves as people who are almost like the world so as to be likeable in the dark world?  Or do we allow God's grace to miraculously shine and open doors for daily intersecting those who are lost in darkness in the world? Are we shining for those who are really hoping to get some light into their darkened lives? Do we allow our brokenness and pain to prevent us from simply walking among those who have brokenness and pain?  Or are we walking among them experiencing some of God's grace. Then are we  shining  into the darkness of  the world so that others --who also are in brokenness and pain -- may find life and light, hope and salvation?

 

Ultimately it is indeed how we believe and it is what we believe about who we are, whose we are and how to have God light us up.  And its about God  preventing us from covering up. It is about taking what HE has given us "out there" to the streets. It's about sharing with others (whose lives we intersect) what has been done in us.  Yes it is about those Divine Intersections.  Its about letting us let go and let God work out his grace in us. Its about sharing that grace so that others can get their lives worked out as well.

 

So, I guess my appeal or challenge is to ask about the light bulb of your life. Is your light functioning well outside the safety of your home and church building? Is the hill city of your life as obvious as God intends it to be? If not, why won't that light bulb of your life shine?  This is not an appeal to come across as an unflawed, unbroken Mr. Or Ms. perfect. This broken blogger  is certainly neither of these.  It's an appeal to take God's grace - working through all those flaws - "out there" and ask you to pray for some Divine Intersections to show up in each one of you days. It's an appeal for the light seekers to be given the opportunity to simply see you coming, and let God strike up the conversation and change someone's life... not because of you, but as in my case, in spite of you (me.). It's an appeal to take the risks of having some people treat you as they did Jesus.  Yup! This is an appeal to let the darkness seekers see you coming and maybe even hate you because of the impact of the light that you yourself exude by the power of The Holy Spirit of The  Almighty God.

 

Go On Out Now And Shine Saint Shine.

Go On Out Into The World After You Have Asked God To Light You Up.

Go On Out Into The World Praying For And Seeking God's Divine Intersections.

God On Out And Be Blessed 2day...

Especially 2day God's Only Guaranteed Day.

 

SoJourner