Christ Only, Always
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
I know this passage well. I would imagine most do. It has been the subject of many a sermon, Sunday School lesson, and song. I was in a production of Godspell when I was in college, and even though that was a couple decades ago now, I still hear a few bars of “Light of the World” when I see this passage. Out of all of Jesus’ analogies and parables, I think most people would agree that the message of this one is pretty obvious. The lights of a city on a hill are visible all around; they cannot be hidden. This is something that would have been easily understood in Bible times, and it still is today. Same with the lamp analogy. With two major hurricanes recently, many have used candles, battery-powered lights, or solar lights inside at night, and we can all be certain that no one put one of those light sources under a bowl, bushel, or basket.
“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl”…
But it occurred to me as I started writing this blog, that I am struggling with putting my light “on a stand.” Not because I’m ashamed of it. I believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and what that means for us. I am happy to talk about what Jesus has done in my life for as long as anyone will listen. I’m always ready to give a reason for the hope that is in me (1 Peter 3:15). So what is it that is bothering me about posting publicly on social media and this website??
Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. —1 Peter 5:8-9a CEB
I realized that it’s not that I don’t want to shine my light, it’s that I am worried that somehow people won’t see it as the light of Christ, but as some sort of not-so-humble brag, like I’m saying MY light is the best light or that I think I know how to do all of this better than others. But I’ve also come to realize that this kind of “stream of worries” is never from the Lord. No, these kinds of thoughts come from the enemy who would like nothing more than for me to abandon the path that I believe God has set before me. This website, my social pages, and my music are all the result of me trying to be obedient to God’s call. The enemy may try to feed me lies to get me off the path, but I don’t have to listen. I can choose to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and throw out the bad. I can choose to believe what God says about me and who He has called me to be. I can choose to follow the example of Christ in my life and in these new online endeavors.
I’ll be honest though, it’s still a little daunting here. People aren’t always kind online, so offering content through an online platform seems like a mean comment or phishing scheme waiting to happen. It’s also really easy to have misunderstandings. You can’t always read tone in typed material. We also seem to be living in a time where people often assume the worst about someone first, before trying to understand what’s really going on. I watched this unfold on a Facebook page recently. Someone else posted content to a page, and there were many angry and condemning comments before the page owner even knew it was posted. Online platforms can be very challenging! I haven’t forgotten that I promised in an earlier blog that I would share the story of the time I inadvertently got into an argument about Sabbath in a worship leader group, so stay tuned for that! But all of this to say, as I continue to share resources and reflections, please know that I’m just trying to follow where God is leading me. I think most, if not all, of you reading this know that already. This particular blog is, in part, a way for me to take up my shield of faith to extinguish the fiery arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). I’m calling out my trepidation for what it actually is! I appreciate you reading and coming along on this ride with me.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
I’ll close with these words from Adelaide Pollard. I have always liked this hymn, but it has grown more special to me in the last few years. As a worship leader, I love to find worship songs and hymns that pair well together. I like to pair “Have Thine Own Way” with “Open Space” by Kirby Kaple or “More Like Jesus” by Kristian Stanfill. All of these songs have essentially the same message: giving our heart and lives as an offering to God and being open to wherever God leads. The final verse of “Have Thine Own Way” is my prayer on this journey. I want it to be Christ—only, and always—that people see living in me. May my life (including this website, my social pages, songs already written and songs to come) be an offering to the Lord. Amen.
