Riverside Community Church Blog

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How can I forget how DARK is the DARK?

My Christian world is one of light; beautiful, lovely illuminating light!  Sunday mornings, small groups and Christian events are like rooms full of ceiling lights, lamps and candles. My Christian circles are warm, enveloping and encouraging.  I am always eager to join them.  There is nothing like basking in the light…..!

There is so much light gathered in one place, that if another lamp where turned on, one would scarcely notice.  But step out into the dark world, beyond the four walls of Jesus lovers. The smallest flicker of love, patience or kindness illuminates the surrounding midnight.

I remember feeling unwelcomed in God’s presence.  My new Christian friend kept telling me of Jesus’ unconditional love for me.  This I could not imagine.  I will say it again, this I could not imagine.  I was unfamiliar with such light. I only knew darkness.  Her light, her Jesus that lived inside of her and shone outward extended to me.  “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12

The light of Jesus began to pierce my darkness.  And after a while, because of her sincere kindness toward me, I remember thinking, “If this good girl likes me…maybe God could too.” Her light was so warm, accepting and welcoming. Her tiny flickers of kindness illuminated my dark world.  I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.  She talked much of her Jesus and His loving and compassionate heart.

Before meeting this new friend, I had no idea I was living in darkness.  Time spent with her brought light into my world.  Her gentle light exposed my darkness.  “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible.” (Ephesians 5:13). This exposure of darkness, I believe, was not her intent but God’s.  Her intent was to love me and help me see how much God loved me.  God’s heart desire was to expose my isolation and need of Him.  He used His light in her to expose my darkness and illuminate the way to Him; The true Light of the World (John 8:12).  The light in her eventually led me to Jesus, who made the way to The Heavenly Father and sealed me with The Holy Spirit.

Sunday morning “church”, small groups and Bible studies are essential for Christian growth and cultivation of life choices. But be careful.  As Charles Stanley once stated, “We can possess a very selfish salvation as we sit, sour and soak in the church building.”

Recently, I participated in a short term mission trip, in my own country.  I was out of my every day travels of life and comfort zone.  It reminded me how very DARK is the DARK.  I talked and prayed with people of all ages who were doing life alone, without Jesus and very little hope.  The flicker of light in me and my team mates where just that; flickers of light in the surrounding midnight.  Their darkness and hopelessness was exposed to themselves and to our team.  How beautiful it was to share the true light of the world, Jesus Christ.

May I continue to see and realize that there is darkness all around me and be willing to go out of my way to share the light of Jesus Christ.  I was reminded that a little bit of kindness goes a long way.  One small flicker of light can pierce the darkest of dark. 

In my everyday life, that may mean sparking up a conversation in a line at a grocery store, being kind to a harsh person at the library, sharing our evening dessert with our neighbor, joining a garden club, bowling team, book club, volunteering at the hospital, prison ministry or asking someone out for coffee. It’s amazing the dark places that surround us, if we are only willing to step into them and share His light.

His light, living in me will draw others and shine the path of opportunity to talk about the true light of the world, the Savior Jesus Christ.

 “Father, create or bring into existence, by the molding of your hand, a heart that longs to share you with others.  May I be willing to step out into the darkness, stop hoarding my light and knowingly or unknowingly illuminate the way to you.”

 

Matthew 5:15-16

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

Lynn Jackson

Churches in Missions

1 Comment

How great was my own darkness, before I despaired of living on my own terms and tried to open up to something greater! When one is always empty, they do not even concieve of what they lack. The most terrifying verse in the Bible, to me, is "without hope, and without God, in THIS world.".
But then I stayed in only Christian circles for too many years. I did not know the sour bitterness or judgmental self-righteousness that became a new vessel for my inner problems. It was only as I went out into general public groups that my "religiosity" was revealed to me. People will tell you, or show you, when your love is false and your compassion non-existent. It is good for us, and necessary for our own growth, to be IN the world. In the past, unawares to me, I was the opposite: Of the world, but not in it. Of necessity, I will always endeavor to connect to people and groups outside of church. It creates balance for me. I see God at work in the world, and I see human weakness at work in the church. It helps me to be the same person, wherever I am. I desire to see God everywhere. "Though I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there."

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