I like what I see. We’ve added light at the church house. We’ve got a nice pole lamb in our children’s playground and one in front of the sanctuary. In addition we’ve gone from one security light on the Franklin Street side to two security lamps. Wow what a difference! It sure makes things better for us and it is appealing to those outside our church. I believe it is already worth our investment.
“A friend of mine”, Luci Swindoll writes [“Heart to Heart,” Today’s Christian Woman], “was caught in an elevator during a power failure. At first, there was momentary panic as all seven strangers talked at once. Then my friend remembered the tiny flashlight he had in his pocket. When he turned it on, the fear dissipated. During the 45 minutes they were stuck together they told jokes, laughed, and even sang. Ephesians 5:8 says we are that flashlight. Just as the flashlight draws power from its batteries, we draw power from Jesus. As light, we dissipate fear, bring relief, and lift spirits. We don’t even have to be big to be effective. We just have to be ‘on’.”
Jesus, the Light of the World, is counting on us to be His flashlights in this dark world. Do you think you could shed a little light on someone’s life? Do you think you could dispel someone’s fear? Do you think you could radiate hope into someone’s depression? Do you think you could help clear up someone’s understanding of the plan of salvation? Do you think you could warm someone’s day with love? Do you think you could reflect God’s grace to an undeserving person? I believe it would be worth your effort and investment to do so.
Stop a minute – start brain storming – how can you turn the light on in your home – how can you reflect Jesus’ light with your friends – how can you radiate His light at work or school – how can you reflect the Light of the World to your neighborhood – how can you bring warmth & hope to those down and out – how does God want you to be a flashlight to others?
Now understand, we can never generate the light someone else needs. You will be ineffective and become frustrated should you try. But remember we are to be solar lights – soaking up the light of the Son and passing it on. We are to be reflectors – like the moon only reflects the sun’s light – we are to only reflect the Son’s light. He generates it through us. He sets us ablaze and then others see the light and feel its warmth.
In Exodus 34:29 we read the following words, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.” Did you catch where the light comes from? When Moses spent time with Jesus, people knew it. That same thing happened in the early church. Acts 4:13 records the response of the religious leaders to Peter and John, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” When we intentionally spend private and quality time with Jesus each day it will be reflected to others. Light IN and light OUT! We have nothing to offer folks of real substance apart from Jesus.
SO – back to your own personal world – how’s your flashlight ministry coming? Are you charged up? Are you turned on? Is the light getting out? Before you bed down tonight I bet you can brighten the corner where you are. It might keep someone from stubbing their toe or taking a wrong turn. God has placed you in the worlds in which you live to be His reflected light. Let Him set you ablaze!
I like what I see as I enjoy the new lighting at church. God will like what He sees as He is able to shine through you. And you just might find others liking what they see as Jesus is reflected in you.
Can You See Him Now?
Pastor Steve