What Is A Streetlight?
We have been going through a sermon series on being streetlights for the past few weeks, and I just wanted to get some of my thoughts “on paper” so to speak.
What does it mean to be a streetlight?
We are called to go out into the world and preach the gospel to every creature, but not everyone can (or should) be a missionary to another country. Some of us are missionaries to the world between our feet… the world we live in each day.
To be a streetlight is to shine the light of God’s love and truth where you are – in your neighborhood, where you work, at school. But to be effective in that, you have to do something… you have to build relationships with those that surround you.
That takes an investment on your part. You have to show kindness. You have to take the initiative to get to know them. You have to take your time out of your day to make the effort. You have to invite them into your life. You have to show them God’s love!
Nope, it isn’t enough to “live out your faith” within your own walls, you have to actively reach out to the world around you.
For some people, this comes naturally. They are outgoing and talkative with everyone they meet. Within 5 minutes they will know your name, where you live, how many kids you have and basically your life story!
For others of us, however, this is a most difficult calling. We tend to keep to ourselves and leave others alone to live their lives. We don’t generally start a conversation with a total stranger, and are occasionally put off when a total stranger starts one with us!
I know which kind I am, and you know which you are… but no matter what our personality is, God has called us to go! Jesus showed us that example in His ministry. He went out into the world around him. He ate with sinners, He healed the sick, He walked around the countryside and went out to meet a lost and dying world.
He initiated. He sought out those that needed to meet Him. He didn’t wait for them to come to Him.
So, what are some ways that we can follow that example?
- bake cookies and deliver them to your neighbors to introduce yourself.
- offer to watch a young mom’s kids occasionally so she can go to the store without her kids in tow
- carpool to work with a neighbor
- while you are mowing your lawn, mow the neighbors lawn that intersects to yours (make sure they are OK with that!)
- share produce or flowers from your garden
- go for a walk and introduce yourself to the neighbors that you meet
These are just a few ideas that I’m throwing out there. Do you have any ideas that we can use?
We can’t just go out and cram Jesus down everyone’s throats – it just doesn’t work that way. We need to establish a relationship with people and let them see Jesus in our lives. We need to find the need in their lives and pour ourselves in to help fill that need! We can’t do that if we don’t know them.
So I am challenging you and I both… take the initiative, spend some of your time and go out into your world and get to know those that live where you live. Introduce yourself. Take the time to extend the invitation to get to know you, and take the time to build that relationship. Find out what their needs are and ask God how He can use you to help meet that need. Build a relationship, meet a need, and shine out the light of God’s love in your neighborhood.
Be a warm, inviting streetlight in your neighborhood, shining God’s light out into a dark world.
0 comments
Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment