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 basket. Instead, they set it on a 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 glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 BSB)
Last Monday evening I watched a young man have a cardiac arrest on national television in the middle of a football stadium. I prayed. Many others did the same. I was amazed by the number of players, coaches, and fans who started praying right there on the TV screen. As time went by, we heard veteran announcers praying aloud on live television. It seems that the vast majority of humans know there is a God, and when the storm rages, they pray.
Later in the week, I read a statistic about our United States Congress. Apparently 88% of those 500 plus luminaries profess to be Christians. After listening to the deliberations in the election of a new speaker of the House, that might be hard to believe, but that’s what they said on their resumes. I pray that their actions will show what their bios profess.
Here’s the point: Whether it’s public figures who require a tragedy to prompt them to public faith, or politicians who put Christ in their campaign but not in their practice, there are plenty of “closet” Christians. Our job is to live out of the closet. As the world gets darker and more chaotic, despairing and fearful hearts will be crying out for help from beyond this earthly realm. Living as light means living our faith in a way that it can be seen (not just heard). When disaster strikes, folks need to know how to find the city on the hill. As we gather with the saints today, let’s remember who we are. Let there be light!
pastorvirgil.com 