Dispel the Darkness.

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.

The Earth was Blank. Void. Dark.

And God said, “Let there be Light”. And there was light that covered the earth like a rushing flood. And God said, “It is Good.”

The reason for this blog post is because I have been chatting over the past month or so with a number of people who deal with nothing sort of extreme darkness that encase their lives. As I sit and listen to the heartache, the pain (physical, emotional and spiritual) and the listen to the stories that will forever shape and define aspects of their lives forever I come to realize that only when we are broken can we begin to see the Light.

I’ve mentioned over and over again on how my heart burns for the local church. I strongly believe that the local church will be the catalyst to which Christ has, is and will redeem the generations.

Yet.

I also have said time and time again that we live in a culture and society that in all reality has no physical need for a Savior.

To explain, we live in a country with a church on every street corner that gathers for a hour a week on a Sunday to attempt to meet the spiritual needs of those in the pew.  I say “attempt” because I believe in all reality that we gather to a large part out of our own graces and our own strengths, celebrating togetherness in our glorified social club for the sterilized. We give out of our wealth of finances, time and energies and then cower behind the excuse of business.

Now before my generalizations turn you away from continuing to read this, I don’t write this to offend but rather plead with you AS THE CHURCH.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

Not only that but, WE ARE CALLED TO BE BETTER.

I heard a sermon preached the other day on Isaiah 60 1-3 which resounded so loud and clear. The verse are the following.

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
² See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
³ Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Isaiah 60:1-3

A few things that stood out for me were the fact that we are called to Arise. Why? Because we are/were sitting or laying down. We are called to our feet, called to a state of readiness and to action. Secondly we are called to Shine. Why? Because we aren’t currently. Simple enough.

The church is more than a gathering of like minded individuals to talk about the weather or sports, sit and listen then leave til next week. (Again, I state an extreme generalization)

Rather, the church is suppose to ARISE and SHINE to dispel the darkness. To become beacons for those around to run to. So that they may see His good works and praise the Father.

This is who I want to be. This is who I want my church to be. This is who I want YOU to be.

Amen.

M