Why Lampstand?

Every follower of Christ knows that we are called to be different. We're supposed to be salt to a tasteless world. We're supposed to be light in the darkness however that tends to be where most of us stop most of the time. That's only half of it. 

Jesus goes on in Matthew 5 from saying we should be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden and then on to say in verse 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 men, that they see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Let's live life in a way that allows the entire "house" to see. Putting the "lamp" on the "lamp stand" takes a conscious effort and maybe even planning. This blog is devoted to that specific part of God's calling in our lives as followers of Christ, the calling to be missional. The calling to live a life that broadly and actively spreads the message of hope, joy, and peace of Christ. 

"Sky Divers, Prepare for Landing!'

To sky dive, technically, one must jump from a plane. It sounds obvious I know but there comes a point where putting on a tight fitting onesie and dawning a seemingly superfluous helmet does not make you a sky diver. Nor does hopping into an airplane with the intent of jumping out make you a sky diver. I guess what really makes you a sky diver is taking that leap and arriving at that place where there is no turning back. That place where you are completely immersed and committed and your actions actually prove it!

Living a missions minded lifestyle and sky diving seem pretty similar. You ultimately have to live out that passion in a way where there is no turning back and you are completely immersed and committed. Anything short of that is ridiculous, right? Not unlike the "sky diver" who is on the plane when it lands.

So, how ridiculous am I? I say I love the lost and then I ignore them, or worse, yell at them in my car in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Over a $3 cup of coffee I lament the lostness of the world: "if only I had more in my bank account to give," I say. I'm consumed by the mission trip to the other side of the world while the next door neighbor remains a stranger. I would rather watch the same Seinfeld rerun for the 10th time instead of praying for those in need. 

Our actions define who we are. It's easy to put on the onesie and the helmet for the world to see, or heck, even hop on a plane.  The hard part is actually committing to jump headlong out the window into the uncomfortable and vulnerable. Even still, the really hard part is choosing to jump day after day after day. 

By the way, I've never sky dived. I've always intended to.