Monthly Archives: April 2013

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”  

Recently I read that commercials are not always what they seem. For example, did you know that models who are “washing” their hair in shampoo commercials are often using something else on their heads. Most of the time they are either using laundry detergent, because it whips up creamy and frothy and rich looking,, or beaten egg whites which are carefully laid on the hair-not by beauticians– but by gourmet bakers who layer the hair with the “meringue” to make the “shampoo” look even more appealing. Beer advertisements in magazines in reality are usually light grade motor oil in the bottom of the glass and whipped detergent on top for the foam head.

Obviously those inviting images aren’t exactly the same as what they are made out to be. Outward appearances are very often deceiving. Sometimes we look at other people’s lives and think, “Boy, they sure have it better than I do.” Perhaps they have a bigger house than I do, or a “better” job, or even the “ideal” family situation from my perspective. Usually there are trade-offs that might not always be apparent at first glance. Spiritually speaking this happens as well. We may be impressed by the knowledge of the Bible that someone has, or admire their seemingly “servant” attitude and become aware of the lack in my own life. We then think, “Oh, if my life was only like that” not realizing that while on the outside they may look good, the inside is much different. We need to be careful when comparing what we have to that of others. The Apostle Paul told us, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Instead of comparing our life to others, instead ask the Lord for the real deal in your own life. When I get that, I will rarely be disappointed.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

One night 50 years ago, a ship was trying to enter Cleveland harbor on Lake Erie. The ship rocked and pitched in the heavy seas as it struggled towards the port. The captain asked the helmsman if they were on course. The helmsman replied that they were as far as he could tell because the lower harbor lights had gone out. Having gone too far to turn back safely, the captain ordered the boat to continue ahead because there was nothing else they could do. Unfortunately they missed the channel, hit the rocks of the harbor and sank, losing many lives in the process.

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine among men…”, but often times we don’t understand just how important our light is for other people. There are dozens of people around us who literally headed for the rocks of life, soon to be sinking if we don’t shine our light for them. We don’t have light of our own, but like the moon that reflects the light of the sun, we simply reflect the light of Jesus.  In fact, for most people, the only true light they will see will come in the reflected light of Jesus in our lives. But that is enough, because it can guide them enough to enter into the safe port of our Lord. So shine your light so that others may see the rocks of life and enter the eternal port safely.

“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 its stand, and it 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.” 

In the Mid-1800’s a French Aristocrat, by the name of Alexis de Tocqueville wrote the book Democracy in America. In it he praised our system of government, our way of life, almost everything about our country. In one passage he said, “Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

With all the distress looming over our country lately, like the debt and political problems, it concerns me that America is on the verge of losing its goodness, if it hasn’t already. America was once known as a “shining light on a hill”. Righteousness is a prevalent theme in the Bible. God desires it from us because He is righteous and because we need it for our own good, but righteousness doesn’t come by accident. We are righteous before God when we receive the sacrifice for us by Jesus’ death on the cross. But righteousness on the earth is a moment-by-moment, decision-by-decision process that we need to pursue constantly. What has made America great in my opinion is not the system of government on the outside of people but what governs people on the inside. Every day, whether I am at home with my family, at work in my career, or even just simply enjoying life and having fun, I need to pursue what is right and good in God’s sight. That is much of what church is all about, responding to what Jesus did by doing what He desires for me. And that will not only keep America good, but will also keep us blessed and perhaps we can be that light on the hill not only personally but nationally.