Shine Bright
'Tis still the season for campfires every now and then. Although it is a little more dangerous with all the fall winds and dry crops. Had a nice campfire last week, and since it was a brushwood pile, it needed frequent replenishing.
After I had finally put a log on instead of small branches, it died with time. But one smallish flame remained. I couldn't help but notice that it seemed to shine exceptionally bright against the darkness.
Upon reflection, it wasn't that the flame was any brighter really, it was simply a greater contrast. Similarly, I think that a single person can perhaps shine in a sharper contrast to darkness than a group can. Not in a greater way, but perhaps in a more distinct way.
It's not that I'm suggesting that a group of dedicated people make less of an impression than a single person. But that while a conflagration lights up a great deal, a single flame simply shows a more extreme difference. If light is common, then what is so special about it? If there is so much of it, it must be easy to obtain. Maybe it's not really all that valuable.
I refer to the body of Christ, believers in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) Although I think the concept would work for others too.
A mighty blaze is powerful. What might happen if handfuls of that blaze were thrown all over several dry crops ready for harvesting though? Gathering together is important. Meeting with friends is important. Encouragement from other believers is like the fresh fall wind fanning a fire, and we need that. Perhaps though, we would not die down so much if we simply moved on to fertile ground. Dry crops await, ready for harvest.
As a single flame, the body of Christ shines together or separated, and whichever instance applies to you, shine bright.
After I had finally put a log on instead of small branches, it died with time. But one smallish flame remained. I couldn't help but notice that it seemed to shine exceptionally bright against the darkness.
Upon reflection, it wasn't that the flame was any brighter really, it was simply a greater contrast. Similarly, I think that a single person can perhaps shine in a sharper contrast to darkness than a group can. Not in a greater way, but perhaps in a more distinct way.
It's not that I'm suggesting that a group of dedicated people make less of an impression than a single person. But that while a conflagration lights up a great deal, a single flame simply shows a more extreme difference. If light is common, then what is so special about it? If there is so much of it, it must be easy to obtain. Maybe it's not really all that valuable.
I refer to the body of Christ, believers in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) Although I think the concept would work for others too.
A mighty blaze is powerful. What might happen if handfuls of that blaze were thrown all over several dry crops ready for harvesting though? Gathering together is important. Meeting with friends is important. Encouragement from other believers is like the fresh fall wind fanning a fire, and we need that. Perhaps though, we would not die down so much if we simply moved on to fertile ground. Dry crops await, ready for harvest.
As a single flame, the body of Christ shines together or separated, and whichever instance applies to you, shine bright.
The book of Acts: the Word spead as the believers were SCATTERED due to persecution. Would they have stayed huddled in Jerusalem without a push? Or just spread out more slowly?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI really don't know what the implications would have been without that persecution.
I guess we have a lot to give God thanks for. :-)
On afterthought though, the success of all those people scattering certainly lends a hand to the credibility of churches sending out missionaries. The apostles remained, acting like the church, while the scattered were like those sent out.