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Scripture for the day: Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.
Thought for the day: Back in the “olden days” before computers, the Internet, microwaves, Television, radio, or even electricity, things were, as you might imagine, significantly different. Now, before anyone jumps to the wrong conclusions, I was not personally alive to see such times; I’ve heard stories and read about those days in books. Anyway, as most of you know, the only light in a house after dark was from either candles placed strategically in front of mirrors, or from lanterns hung in whatever room needed illumination at any given time. Making candles, filling oil lamps, trimming the wicks to keep the lanterns burning brightly when lit, were all common every-day activities that seem to have no real relevance for us today. But in those times every pinpoint of light was significant. Let me illustrate.
Several centuries ago in a mountain village in Europe, a wealthy nobleman wondered what legacy he could leave to his townspeople. He made a good decision. He decided to build them a church. No one was permitted to see the plans or the inside of the church until it was finished. At its grand opening, the people gathered and marveled at the beauty of the new church. Everything had been thought of and included. It was a masterpiece.
But then someone said, "Wait a minute! Where are the lamps? It is really quite dark in here. How will the church be lighted?" The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls, and then he gave each family a lamp, which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship. "Each time you are here'" the nobleman said, "the place where you are seated will be lighted. Each time you are not here, that place will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God's house will be dark."
That's a poignant story, isn't it? And it makes a very significant point about the importance of our commitment and loyalty to the church. The poet Edward Everett Hale put it like this:
I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something I can do.
When I read this story it reminded me of a little church on the coast of Maine. The people often rowed across the bay to get there on Sunday Evening and would always have a lantern hanging from a post attached to the little skiff they rowed across the darkening waters. As they entered the church each family would hang their lantern on a peg at the back of the church, giving light to the whole room. Just as everyone sat in his or her own seat, everyone had his or her own lantern peg. If someone was missing from the services for more than a week or two, an elder or the pastor would visit that one and, at some point in the conversation make the remark, “I’ve noticed your lantern’s been missing from its peg brother;” gently reminding that one of his commitment to the Church and the Lord of the Church.
What if every member of your church supported the church just as you do? What kind of church would you have? What if every single member served the church, attended the church, loved the church, shared the church, and gave to the church exactly as you do? What kind of church would you be?
Now go take on your world. - Bill