I’m sitting out on the back porch enjoying the cool, spring night time, alongside a brightly burning fire. All around me, the sounds of the city awaken my senses. My next door neighbor is blaring his Latin music, as is his nightly custom, for the whole block to hear. Some kids are playing with fire crackers down the street, and the sound of their laughter is evident after each explosion. A street-hockey game is in full swing at the court behind my house and the roar of motorcycles down the street remind me that the riding season is finally here(even though I’ve been riding throughout the winter).
As I sit by the fire, I am reminded of the passage in Matthew 5, which reminds believers that we are the “light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden.” It is a timely reminder for me as I am embarking on a new journey in life at the very beginning phases of a new ministry opportunity.
Sometimes, I have a tendency to attempt to hide the light of Christ in my life. Sometimes it isn’t convenient for me to be a Christian, especially, when someone wants to block the alley I park my car in. In those moments, I would rather waste time becoming upset and angered at the ignorance of others rather than allowing myself to become “filled with compassion.” At those times, my light shines dimly. In those moments I hide my Christianity behind a veil of secrecy and allow my emotions to get the best of me.
The unfortunate thing about this is that while I think that I am hiding my Christianity from others so that I can spout off at the mouth about illegal parking in “my” alley, there is no greater time in my life when Christ is more evident.
Perhaps that person may not know it then but eventually, when I try to share my faith with someone or demonstrate “Christ-likeness” towards them, they realize it. “Oh, that was the guy who cussed me out for parking in the alley, and now he wants to talk God with me?”
You can see the contradiction.
Regardless of whether I deliberately try to hide my fire from the city or not, they see it. They see it burning brightly but It’s up to me however to make it a fire that they are either attracted to because of its awe and beauty or turned away from because of its searing heat.
I realize that if I am to make a lasting and profound impact for Christ then I must be keenly aware of my light and the fire that is burning. I have to ask myself whether or not my fire is one that is going to draw others closer to a relationship with Christ or drive them away. Either way, my fire burns. My light shines. Hopefully, it is one that will ignite a city on fire for God.
As I sit by the fire, I am reminded of the passage in Matthew 5, which reminds believers that we are the “light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden.” It is a timely reminder for me as I am embarking on a new journey in life at the very beginning phases of a new ministry opportunity.
Sometimes, I have a tendency to attempt to hide the light of Christ in my life. Sometimes it isn’t convenient for me to be a Christian, especially, when someone wants to block the alley I park my car in. In those moments, I would rather waste time becoming upset and angered at the ignorance of others rather than allowing myself to become “filled with compassion.” At those times, my light shines dimly. In those moments I hide my Christianity behind a veil of secrecy and allow my emotions to get the best of me.
The unfortunate thing about this is that while I think that I am hiding my Christianity from others so that I can spout off at the mouth about illegal parking in “my” alley, there is no greater time in my life when Christ is more evident.
Perhaps that person may not know it then but eventually, when I try to share my faith with someone or demonstrate “Christ-likeness” towards them, they realize it. “Oh, that was the guy who cussed me out for parking in the alley, and now he wants to talk God with me?”
You can see the contradiction.
Regardless of whether I deliberately try to hide my fire from the city or not, they see it. They see it burning brightly but It’s up to me however to make it a fire that they are either attracted to because of its awe and beauty or turned away from because of its searing heat.
I realize that if I am to make a lasting and profound impact for Christ then I must be keenly aware of my light and the fire that is burning. I have to ask myself whether or not my fire is one that is going to draw others closer to a relationship with Christ or drive them away. Either way, my fire burns. My light shines. Hopefully, it is one that will ignite a city on fire for God.
this is good stuff, Steve. I definitely had ha dimly lit moment when some jerk....ooops, I mean person cut me off the other day. Good reminder :) Keep this up.
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