Light Works Best When It's Dark

Hey everybody,

 

I recently ordered a nightlight to put in our guest bathroom. It's located at the end of a hallway, and it can be dark down there. Whenever we have company over to the house, this little light at the end of the hall will help them know where to go when they need to use the restroom. Just a convenient touch. It's one of those lights that doesn't come on when there is sufficient light in the room; it's only on when needed. The light doesn't seem very bright. In fact, at first, I wondered if it was bright enough. 

 

That was until I went to bed. Just next to the guest bathroom is the primary bedroom. And when all the lights in the house were off, and I settled into my bed, I felt as if someone had a spotlight on me. I started wondering where all the light was coming from. I got up to see if we had left a light on somewhere, but when I investigated, the only light on was this tiny little nightlight in the guest bathroom. It struck me how, when it's really dark, you only need a little light to make a big difference.

 

Over the last few weeks of weather-induced destruction from Florida to Western North Carolina, it has seemed awfully dark—sometimes literally. Some communities still don't have electricity, and quite a few people in Western North Carolina don't have safe running water in what's left of their homes. It's devastating. Pretty dark. 

 

When it's dark, some people just curse the darkness. I've seen all the online complaints about the slow government response. Some of the complaining has devolved into conspiracy theories that FEMA is the enemy, and they are trying to harm people, which has actually slowed the already too-slow responses. But then, I've also seen quite a few little lights, and in the darkness, those lights have shined so brightly, giving me such hope.

 

In last week's Outlet, we highlighted several of those bright lights. Mercy Chefs spearheaded an effort to fill tractor trailers with supplies to send to our friends in Western, NC. We also supported our partners at Operation Blessing with dollars and volunteers, putting together thousands of kits to provide hygiene essentials to those who lost just about everything. One of our fellow Irresistible Church Network partners, Pinnacle Church, in the aftermath of the storm, set up generators and provided a place for those in their community to come and use facilities and connect to the internet through star-link satellite services so that people could connect with friends and family outside of the area. Today, that church has its power back, and they are partnering with the local schools to assist families that lost everything.

 

All of those stories refresh my heart. There IS a light, and it IS shining brightly. Sometimes, you can't see it or don't notice it, especially when everything is going well. But when the night hits, those small, seemingly insignificant lights become spotlights shining and pointing people to Jesus. Soo great.

 

We are in a cultural moment of darkness with all things political, too. Some well-intentioned Christians are adding to the noise of the cultural debates. It's usually with good intentions, but it's similar to cursing the darkness. It really doesn't make anything better, and it doesn't elevate the discourse. In some instances, it fans the flames of conspiracy theories that undermine the cause of Christ instead of advancing it. 

 

But in the same way, we have an excellent opportunity to shine brightly in this darkness. On Sunday, we handed out "Unity" election buttons that you can wear when you go vote. It's a subtle way to say that you are FOR people more than you are against them. We also have a couple of events that will allow Believers to shine the spotlight of Jesus on our community, which I would love for you to engage in.

 

One is TOMORROW (October 19th). The Fall Free Market, from 10 am - 1 pm, at Cherry Middle School in the Burbage Grant area of Suffolk. It's a place where you can give your new and gently used items away to the community to show your generosity. If you didn't sign up to do that, you still can. Follow this link and show up and shine brightly. There will be lots of opportunities to shine, even if you aren't giving anything away. Just come out and mingle with the community, invite them to church, and maybe even offer to pray with and for some people.

 

Another opportunity to shine brightly is on Sunday, November 3rd, when we celebrate our Fall Fest at Lilley Farms. There will be hayrides, corn mazes, food trucks, and other festivities. We are opening this up to our entire community, we want families to have a safe place to go and have fun. This is a great chance for us to show up and shine brightly. We need some volunteers to set up, clean up, and do some things during this fantastic event, so if you are interested in participating, follow this link and sign up. We also need TONS of candy, so bring some with you on Sunday. We want to be sure every child that comes to this event gets a goody bag from us that lets them know there is a church FOR them right in the community.

 

I know it feels dark right now. But the great news is that when it's dark out there, it only takes a little bit of light to make a big difference. Let your light shine.

 

See you Sunday as we continue our series, Divided We Stand. I can't wait to worship with you.

 

Blessings,

 

Pastor Jamey