The light of the world...?

2008 may have left many of us speechless. Faced with a hugely divisive national election, the virtual “collapse” of the stock market, the plundering of individual savings and retirement accounts, the burgeoning unemployment rates, the financial bailout of banks and automobile companies…is it any wonder we are out of breath? And what can we say that accurately reflects our sense of justifiable concern and even outrage?

In the midst of such turbulence and turmoil stands the church. That may sound a bit dramatic but I see it as significant. I think of the words of Jesus to His disciples when He informed them, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand and gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

People around us our floundering. Having placed their confidence in the stuff of this world, the foundation has literally been ripped away from under their fragile feet. The church, I believe, has an accelerated opportunity to be a voice for hope and a vehicle of help in these almost desperate times. It is a time to speak up—not a time to be speechless.

In the month of January we will be challenging you with this verse, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26 NIV
Our topic, “Christianity: Finding a Faith that Works-Living a Life that Matters”, will be covered with four specific challenging messages—“Radical Faith”, “Revolutionary Mindset”, “Resurgent Living” and “Reckless Abandon”. Coupled with these will be our annual Gifts Fair on January 21st and our annual Day of Celebration on Sunday, January 25th, concluding with a potluck fellowship following our morning worship together. You won’t want to miss any of these special services…mark your calendars today!

How will we respond to the opportunities of 2009? What do we as believers have to say? What light do we have to shed in a world darkened by unmet needs and failed expectations? We can turn inward and concentrate on the immediate needs of “keeping the lights on”—not an unimportant task—or, we can “turn the lights on” and carry that light into our community, our places of work, our families, our sphere of influence. And we do that, I believe, in part when we do “good deeds” or, things that lift up Christ-- pointing men to Him—and they are led to give praise to our “Father in heaven”.

These are days to look up and reach out. These are days to speak up and shout out the message of hope in Christ. The gospel is “good news”, something not found in the front pages of our newspapers nor heard from our television pundits who share the tragic stories each week of human failure. The “good news” helps us lift our eyes away from the deceitful promises and the disappointing products of our dependence upon ourselves. It forces us to turn to the light of the truth of God’s word and a life of fulfillment we can experience in Christ, even when our world is diminished and darkened by evil.

2009 is here. What shall we say? What shall we do? Let’s stand together, like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden or ignored. Let’s carry the light of His Word and the message of transformed lives into a world that is watching…and waiting for the church to speak up and live out its faith consistently.