From Chapter 13 “Something to Ponder”
Let Your Light So Shine
The Lit Cross
Years ago, at my home Church in Powder Springs, Georgia. On the front of the Church building there was a huge Cross that stayed lit up all night. They say you could see it from miles away from the air.
I was there late one night with my prayer partner Chuck Sprayberry, standing in front of the cross around 12:30 in the morning when a man came pulling into the Church parking lot, one could tell that this man had been drinking but not to a point of intoxication. He said he needed to talk to someone and when he seen the cross, he knew that this was the place to stop.
We began to witness to him and share the gospel. Then he asks a few questions of his own, the first, was does he have to give up drinking alcohol? And before Chuck could answer I blurted out NO!
You could almost hear Chucks jaw hit the concrete, then the man ask how about smoking I again said NO, you don’t have to give that up either, Chuck later told me at that point he thought I had lost prospective, and he was about to take over, but he (Chuck) knew me and trusted I knew what I was saying, then the grand finale he asked if he had to give up going to nude bars? And again, I said NO!
No, you don’t have to give up anything to follow Christ I told him, as my buddy Chuck stood there with the look of confusion on his face. But then I said that if he met the Jesus that I knew he would be willing to give up whatever God lead him give up in time. And it would not be difficult.
The man recognized his condition, and said he couldn’t make a decision at this time but promised that he would come back when he hadn’t been drinking. I offered to get his number, and we even offered ours. But he refused.
We never saw him again.
See we often sing at the invitation in a church service:
Just as I Am:
- Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
- Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
- Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fighting and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
- Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
- Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
- Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Text: Charlotte Elliott, 1789-1871
Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868
Now go back and read the bold print only
See the problem is we don’t want people just as they are, we want them just as I am. See we want them changed to suit us before they come to church.
We want them to be what we think Christians should be, to many times we let the lost, needy, hurting, tattooed, pierced, drunkard, drug addict, dirty, non-suite wearing person walk right out the door and straight to HELL just because they don’t fit OUR way thinking.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” NKJV
Well that’s old testament well then look at this.
John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. NKJV
2 Corinthians 10:7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. NKJV
Jesus said Himself in Matthews 11:28-30
Matthews 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. NKJV
Did you get that “and my burden is light.”? “Take my yoke” my is Jesus’ not the Church “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Don’t get me wrong Accepting Jesus cost you nothing, Following Jesus can cost you everything, but it is well worth it.
A friend of mine was a pilot and said his instruments went out one night, and he was trying to find his way back home to McCollum airport in Kennesaw, Georgia. His fuel was getting low, and he was starting to panic when he saw the Cross. That big Cross on front of the Church. And then he knew where he was, and he found his way back home. Isn’t that what we all need to do? Look for the Cross and follow it Home.
I will glory in the Cross
By Dottie Rambo.
I boast not of works or tell of good deeds
For naught have I done to merit his grace
All glory and praise shall rest upon him
So willing to die in my place.
My trophies and crowns, my robe stained with sin
Twas all that I had to lay at his feet
Unworthy to eat from the table of life
Till love made provision for me.
I will glory in the cross
In the cross
Lest his suffering all be in vain
I will weep no more for the cross that he bore
I will glory in the cross.
Well they boarded over the lit cross, it doesn’t shine for all to see, the day that they did that it broke my heart, I remembered the night at the Cross and the story of the pilot, and I can’t help but wonder how many more people was led to that Big Old Lit Cross in search of hope, peace and rest. Just understand all that can be found at the foot of Old Rugged Cross.
Matt 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV
Please don’t board up your Lit Cross, don’t put your light under a basket, do what you do for the glory of God.
Again, I promise you people are watching you.
Oh, when in tough times, let your Light Shine Bright.
Shine, shine for all to see, not just the church crowd.
Let the neighbors see God shine through you.
Let the waiter and waitress see the light shine through you.
Let the guy that cut you off on the interstate see the light shine through you.
In everything let Gods glory shine through you.
