A lamp in a basket, or a spotlight in the forest?

The world is a scary place. To Christians that should mean we want to share the gospel with as many as we can. After all if we truly believe that Jesus Christ is the messiah, then we should want everyone to have what he offers. To free them from the fear of life, to free them from the darkness.

You see people are out there in the world, lost in the dark. It's like a dense jungle of sin. Everywhere around them are pitfalls, places they can fall and get hurt, and yes death. They can't see because they don't have a light. Outside of the jungle in the light of Christ is where we are, but that's not where we are called to stay. You see Jesus has commissioned each one of us as a rescue team member. We are to go into the jungle with our trusty light and help light the way to the real source of light, Jesus Christ.

We have that light inside of us. How are we using it though? Jesus told us "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light." Luke 8:16-17 Jesus was telling us that once we have our light, our lives should change! They should change in a way that others are seeing our light, and want to go where it shines as well.

But to me there is another problem we often have, especially when we are just coming to God. We get so excited, and rightly so! But then we turn on our spotlights and go out into the dark. The people in the dark, just like in a dark room, have adjusted their eyes. A bright light hurts, but a spotlight blinds! They see the spotlight and the move away, often falling into another pit or down a hill. They don't want anything to do with that light because it hurts! It's not the light that hurt! It's the presentation of that light.

We need to be more like a candle, a soft and gentle, warm and welcoming light! One that gently illuminates the ground, and shows them that the hand of the Holy Spirit is right there reaching out to them. All they need to do is see that hand, that offer of hope, and then their eyes are opened. The Holy Spirit leads them to Jesus and then He gives him a light of their own. You meanwhile keep going, and finding other lost people in the darkness. So how are you reaching others? Are you showing them love and gentleness? The hope that is found in Christ? Or are you blinding them with a spotlight of anger and condemnation, that never lets them see past the blaring light to the source of that light?

Just something to think about.


In Christ,
Brian