Sunday, October 27, 2013

Send the Light

Today our pastor's sermon title was "Selflessness," taken from II Corinthians 4, pointing out that as, in verse 1, we all have a ministry.  It is not just for those who stand in the pulpit or hold some official position.  He stressed that we are to share ourselves and Jesus in us with others, which is what we are called to do.

"What good is it having something if you can't share it with someone?" he questioned, giving the example of his new watch that he admired so much, wanting to show it to someone who would share his joy in having it. After a short while he took the watch for granted and the novelty of having it had worn off, but the experience of sharing it would last.

For instance, he told of something that had happened the day before as he sat in a restaurant with friends.  Several older teens occupied a nearby booth, and suddenly, as if on cue, they all bolted for the door and made a speedy exit.  They had left without paying the hefty tab they had run up.  All the diners noticed it, and in their amazement, they began to talk with each other; people they didn't know suddenly became a community of shared experience.

Yesterday after failing to find any good garage sales around town, we headed to Blackwell, a few miles away, for an estate sale.  We didn't expect much, since it was past noon by then, and sure enough, there was a bare minimum of items on display: mostly trinkets, odd dishes, ribbons and stationery from an elderly woman's home.

The house itself was interesting, though, with a collector's quality kitchen range and a general feel of history about it.  The charming, genteel, octogenarian who lived there, sparkling with personality in her turquoise, harlequin-framed glasses, in conversation dropped a tidbit of interest grabbed by my husband, and they were off and running.  They knew many of the same people, names of businesses of old, and enough local trivia to keep Howard engaged the whole time I was shopping.  We left feeling as if we had known her for years!  The sale wasn't much, but the experience was priceless!

Our desire to share reminds me of Facebook.  Almost no detail of our lives, whether trivial or serious, is exempt from sharing with our "friends."  Pictures of babies, beauties, scholars or sports events are worthy of praise and comment.  People must share!

Paul was teaching us to share our faith!  Verse 6 says,  "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This is the best news of all to share!



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