I am blessed to have wonderful ministry partners at Crossroads. We pastors are true ‘yokefellows’ in the bond of Christ and Crossroads. Todd Bussey, our Senior Associate Pastor, has written from the overflow of his study for the message last weekend on what is perhaps the second greatest miracle Jesus ever performed, the raising of Lazarus from the dead…. See his insightful challenge below:
When Jesus planned to return to Bethany, upon hearing the news of the failing health of his friend Lazarus, the disciples encouraged him to go under cover of night. But Jesus insisted that they should not be fearful of hostility from the Jews or secretive in their visit saying, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of the world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is not in him.” [John 11:9] Herein is a little noticed revelation of the integrity of Jesus. Many times Jesus demonstrated courage; but in this case, he impresses the importance of doing the hard assignments in the light of day. Rather than taking the path of self-preservation, Jesus chose not to hide in the shadows.
So, how confident are you to live out your faith boldly and openly, especially when there is the likelihood of persecution or ridicule? Amanda [my wife] and I are amused when we go out to eat with our non-churched friends and observe their mixed responses when we offer to express thanks for the food. This is something we do for every other meal; why would we be embarrassed to do this in public? Why hide a prayer of thanksgiving, something we regularly practice in the privacy of our home? Likewise, I am encouraged to hear of others in our church family who find ways to integrate their faith into everyday life. Coaches who spiritually counsel and pray with their players, doctors who pray with their patients before surgeries, business leaders who minister to their employees and seek God’s wisdom for important decisions, students and employees who lead Bible studies during lunch breaks or who arrange time to do peer Christian counseling for coworkers in personal crisis.
All these expressions of open and public witness are faithful to Jesus’ principle of operating in the light, something that should characterize the life of every mature disciple of His. God calls us to “Walk in the light, even as He is in the light.” [I John 1:7] So, how visible is your walk? How unashamed of His Lordship are you in the way you think, talk, act and react?
Pray with me…. Father, in these days when living out the Christian faith may bring misunderstanding and criticism, help us never to forget the public stand you have taken for us. Give us the courage to boldly live out our faith before the eyes of the watching world. May our public testimony be a magnet to pull others closer to You. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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