When I first left school I got a job in a photographic company.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven getting the placement.
I was 16 and knew everything.
I did menial stuff around the place for a while and then finally got a crack at the big stuff, developing film or negatives as it is also known.
I can’t remember a heap but as it all went pear shaped, downhill, south, I have probably suppressed a lot of it.
Yeah it didn’t go well at all.
I worked in the dark room and developed the film in chemicals using no light – all by feel.
I did ok initially but its a job where you can’t afford a faux pas because you are dealing with peoples memories. Its not like digital camera where you can’t really stuff it up because it says “do you really want to delete?”.
You just cant afford to let the light in. No light at all.
Yip. I deleted a couple of peoples memories and was then encouraged by my boss “to explore other opportunities”.
Im a lot older now. And I think a lot wiser.
But my position now, as a Pastor here in Whitianga, is a little similar to that job.
In a world full of darkness, people don’t want to know about the “light” and are also “negative” towards Christianity.
But I bet if you asked the question, “Would you live in a room of darkness or a room full of light?”, I’m sure the answer would be the latter.
The Bible says in the Gospel of John that “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” Jesus said in this same book, that He is that light.
People hate being corrected. People hate being told that what they are doing is wrong.
These “rules” for living found in the Bible are for our good as humans. Formulated by God who wants nothing but the best for us.
The Bible has a good acronym B.I.B.L.E Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
I digress…
The Gospel of Matthew in chapter 5 says
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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”
So. First let your light shine in the house (Greek – Oikia. dwelling place, in our case – the church) and then in the same way let it shine in the world.
Imagine a large room full of darkness and YOU are the ONLY light.
You are very little and very insignificant. Got the mental picture yet? Good.
Even your little, tiny, insignificant flame makes an impression doesn’t it?
Makes the eye draw to you. Makes you stand out.
Makes you ATTRACTIVE.
2 Corinthians 4:6 says
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ“.
His son Jesus, the Christ, is now gone. He was crucified for us over 2000 years ago.
Died, rose again and went up to Heaven.
But he has left us his Spirit – The Holy Spirit, to dwell in us and help us and guide us.
He was the light of the world. Through His Spirit WE are now that light.
Our job now is similar in a way to the photographic company.
We deal with negatives.
We are developing precious memories that are for ever.
We are living in a dark world.
But this time I’m allowed to let in the light.
Come on. Don’t shrink back. Shine! Actually don’t just shine. Be RADIANT!
Psalm 34:5
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame“.
Bless you!
C3 Whitianga coming soon!
www.c3whitianga.org.nz
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