Lighthouses and Fireflies

I came across a Facebook post today by Christine Caine that I could not help but elaborate on. She said,

"Darkness can only prevail in the absence of light ... 

let's not avoid the very place we were called to illuminate! GO into all the world."

There is a mindset that has crept into the church that I believe reflects an unbalanced view of light and darkness - and the role of the 21st century church in reaching the culture in which she finds herself. Let me give you two examples:

(1) Several years ago, I was on a mini-missions trip to New York, and while were working with one particular ministry in the city, we stayed at the headquarters of another internationally known missions organization in New Jersey. In the smaller city where we lodged, we noticed that all the shops and stores and other businesses closed their doors early every night, before dark, and that most of them were protected by bars and gates. We were advised by the ministry leaders not to leave the premises after dark for our own safety. Further, we were also told that at a certain time (not that late by most standards), the doors would lock and we would be locked out for the night.

We were saddened to discover that fear had so gripped the hearts of the ministry leaders that they were no longer effective in reaching the community to which they had been called.

One night, as we were coming in, a young woman was leaving, armed with a Bible and a basket of small gift bags, filled with personal items and small Bibles. She was headed out alone, to minister to the prostitutes who worked the streets at night, knowing that she would have to remain out the entire night until the ministry doors were unlocked the next morning. This was something she did a few nights a week, and she did so under the protection of only God Himself because of the burden He had laid on her heart for these women. She refused to cower to the fear and chose rather to walk boldly into the darkness with the message of hope and restoration.

(2) Years later, when I first started working with a homeless ministry in Austin called Church Under the Bridge, a pastor's wife said something to me that broke my heart. She said, "I think it is so great what you guys are doing down there. You are reaching people that we will never be able to reach because they just won't come here." Everything in me wanted to scream, "YES, YOU CAN! You can GO TO THEM!"

In our passion for holiness and to live a righteous life, we cannot and must not become so isolated that we have no relevant message for the world in which we live. It is easy to adopt a religious spirit and be so consumed with not being "of the world" that we forget that we are placed in the world for a reason.

We need look no further than to Jesus Himself for an example of what our lives should be patterned after. He walked among "sinners" associating in personal and intimate settings with the very people the religious culture of the day avoided. He ate with them. He spent time in their homes. His conversations with them were not filled with, "You must get saved or you are going to hell!" but rather with undeniable truth that gently but firmly exposed their hearts - not to embarrass them or bring them shame, but to bring them to restored fellowship with His Father. The woman at the well responded in one way; the rich young ruler responded in another.

A light shining in a dark place naturally attracts people to it. Those things that want to remain hidden will try to avoid the light, so what do we do? Do we keep standing here shining, hoping that someday the nature of the darkness will change and it will mysteriously be drawn toward the light? No, we grab a lantern and go illuminate that area as well. The great commission is not to build huge ministry empires and wait for people to wander in. No. It is to go into all the world and make disciples. Go out and compel them to come in. Show them you have something inside worth coming in for - and I'm not talking about a show. I'm talking about the life-altering, demon-chasing, healing, delivering, restoring power of the presence of the Almighty. Music and lights and tv cameras and all that are fine as long as God Himself is still a welcome participant. At the end of the day, the entertainment value of your finely polished, orchestrated service won't hold a candle to ten minutes of face time with Him on a park bench if it has no substantive presence of God all up in it.

Your impact on the world around you doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as getting dressed and going shopping. I once was making a purchase at a crafts store when the cashier asked if she could give me a hug. Caught off guard but sensing the importance of the moment, I agreed, and as she stepped out from behind the register, she burst into tears. As we embraced, she thanked me for wearing the shirt I had on, which had a message on it about faith. The words were exactly what she needed at a time in her life when her faith was being tested in a huge way.

When it comes to being a light in a dark place, you may feel more like a firefly than a lighthouse. But shine brightly, dear firefly, because your little lantern is reminding someone of home and leading them there. So, should we be afraid to go out and be a light in a dark place, or should we be afraid not to? Having an illuminating impact may be as simple as learning to control our speech (a reflection of a thankful heart). Can it really be that easy? Consider this ...

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 

so that you may become blameless and pure, 

'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.' 

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 

as you hold firmly to the word of life."

Philippians 2:14-16

Less Is More

So here it is, the last day of 2011. It is Saturday morning, and I am sitting alone in the small travel trailer we have called home since our home burned on November 1. The past several weeks have carried with them a variety of experiences and emotions. Just after the fire, the company David works for changed their pay structure, eliminating commissions altogether and dropping everyone to a barely over minimum-wage hourly rate. Then they eliminated overtime.

As you can imagine, this made a significant impact on our plans to stay here a little while and save up to get back into a real house. During this time, I have been brought face-to-face with some things in my heart that, uncomfortable as it is, had to be dealt with.

For starters, I have obviously realized how little of the "stuff" we have that we actually need to survive. Living in a tiny space for an extended period of time forces one to make different choices when deciding what items to bring into the living space. "Less is more" takes on a whole new meaning. I have wanted for a long time to live a more simplified life, and this experience has made me move from thinking about it to actually doing it. We currently have "stuff" stored in several locations while we are still in this transitional phase, and the majority of it we obviously don't need, because quite frankly we are getting along okay with out it.

Second, Christmas was a different experience for us this year. With no (and I mean NO) available funds to purchase gifts for anyone and no space to decorate (other than stringing a few lights on the outside of the trailer), there was no running around trying to find the perfect gift for people who (like us), don't really need anything anyway. I did a little cooking for a family gathering, and I made a little fudge to give out to a few people as gifts. That was it. Frankly, I enjoyed it. As I listened to coworkers stressing about how they were going to pay for the expensive things their family members wanted and trying to shop smart so there would be a large number of presents under the tree, and how they could not wait until Christmas was over, I felt thankful that I was not wrapped up in that this year. Our time with both families was relaxed and comfortable and focused on each other. As it should be.

Third, we were given a couple of lottery tickets for Christmas. The jackpot was 8 million, with the cash payout estimated around 6 million. We didn't win, of course, but it was fun to dream and wonder how we would manage that kind of wealth. How would our lives change? Would we splurge and spend and squander it away like so many have done before? Would we live in a grand home and drive fancy cars and travel the world in luxury? Would we give the majority of it away, putting others in the same position to squander it away just as quickly? I would like to think that we would tithe, pay off what little existing debt we have, buy a comfortable home, drive reasonable vehicles, help family and friends who could use a little boost, and invest the majority of the rest in income-generating business ventures and in furthering the kingdom of God in changing the lives of others.

I know this current situation we are in will not last forever. Provision will come and this season will be behind us as we move into the next one. What I take with me into that new season is up to me and will determine whether or not this is a season that needs to be repeated.

As we enter into this new year, you may have parts of 2011 you would like to leave behind, never looking back. I would like to challenge you to spend a little time examining those things before moving forward. Look at where and who you were 12 months ago and where and who you are right now, in this moment. Take something of what the Lord has brought you through into 2012. What you have endured and survived has strengthened you and prepared you for what is to come. His goodness prevails.

Finally, last night, as I was leaving the grocery store, I encountered a group from Teen Challenge Texas (based in San Antonio). They were asking for donations and selling beautiful woodworking items. At first I started to walk by, knowing that I only had a few dollars left and still many days until the next pay day. But I didn't. I turned around and emptied my wallet into their bucket. Then I stood there visiting with three fresh-faced young women who shared how God was changing their lives and awesome that was. We encouraged one another, and I wished them a safe trip home. My wallet was empty, but my heart was full.

Walking back to my car, I asked the Lord to multiply my very small offering, and then to multiply it again.  As I put my key in the door, it occurred to me that I had no fear or hesitation in giving, and that I am confident that the Lord will continue to provide for our needs and beyond. That is what I am taking into 2012.


Filtering through the life-affecting moments of 2011, what are you taking with you into 2012?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” 

Jeremiah 29:11-14

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 25 - Unexpected Blessings

I love it when God grants His favor in unexpected ways, times and places. I am never sure why I am the recipient of it, but I am learning to stop questioning it and just bask in it. 

Last night, while leaving the home of my brother-in-law's fiance, I took a nasty little tumble in the driveway. It was dark, and I misread where the edge of the driveway was. My left foot landed solidly in an awkward position in the wrong place, and down I went.

Landing hard first on the front of my right leg, then with both hands hitting the concrete very hard, I knew that bruises and soreness would be inevitable by today. Within minutes of being in the car and on the way home, I was already feeling the effects of my graceful little maneuver. I went to bed sure that today would be a painful one.

Boy, was I wrong. Not only is there no bruising, I was so NOT sore that it was well after noon before I remembered that I had taken my little spill last night, and a quick awareness check revealed that I am not the least bit sore. Cool!

"Father, thank You for Your unexpected blessings. I don't know why we were spared from losing as much others did in the fire this month. I don't know why I am not pumping ibuprofen and soaking in a hot bath with Epsom salts tonight. I don't know why so many little things happen to, through and around me every day that are such beautiful evidences of Your presence in my life. But I am very thankful for all of it.  Help me to be ever-aware of You in every moment. Thank You for staying with me and in me, especially when I don't deserve it. I love You." 

Amen.