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Don’t Hide Your Light
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
-Matthew 5:14-16 NRSV
I have no doubt that if you’re reading this from anywhere in the United States today, that the sky above you last night was filled with light impossible to ignore. You can thank our first Vice President, John Adams, for that tradition.
John wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3 about his desire that Independence Day be celebrated with sports, games, shows, bells, bonfires, and fireworks “from one side of this country to the other.” Fireworks, however, had been a part of celebratory moments across the globe for centuries before American Independence.
Many have joked about the proclivity of humans to celebrate accomplishment by destroying or blowing things up – just ask sports fans. I think it’s to create a noticeable moment. A bonfire, a light in the sky, an explosion – you can’t miss it. It’s going to draw attention and make you ask, “why?” or “what?”
Which is the indoctrination point of a holiday.
I wonder how many noticeable moments we create as “the light of the world?”
How many people ask us “why?” or “what?” because of the presence of peace within us that they cannot ignore?
Who inspires and ignites the imagination of your neighbors with the explosive way that you serve them?
In Matthew 5, Jesus is giving the credo for a Christian life, and a Christian cannot hide their light. We are not to boast (Matthew 6:5-6) but we are never to hide what cannot be hidden. We are meant to be fireworks drawing people to a celebratory feast set for them, where they can taste and see that the Lord is good.
John Wesley once said, “Light yourself on fire and people will come from miles around to watch you burn.”
Who have you been bright enough to inspire with your faith?
Because it’s in faith that they will find freedom.
Happy July 4th Everyone.
Peace,
David Lessner
AND DON’T FORGET
To give some of our musicians a break and give everyone a chance to experience something or someone new, we are only going to experiment with only having 1 worship time in July at 11 am.
We WILL still have Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 am.
The style of worship will alternate.
- July 9 – Contemporary
- July 16 – Traditional
- July 23 – Contemporary
- July 30 – Student Praise Band
I encourage you to come every week and experience the joy of music you may not be used to and meet someone that worships during a different hour normally. Stay tuned to the Weekly Newsletter, Facebook/Instagram, and Deep Thoughts e-mails for special opportunities for further fellowship and mission during July.
We will resume our normal worship schedule in August.
Peace,
David Lessner
