Imagine you're sitting there on the couch, just minding your own business and watching your favourite TV series when BAM- the power goes out.
For us here in South Africa, this is something we've all grown accustomed to in these last few weeks. Yup, that's right, it's load shedding.
So here's the thing: Eskom is having some trouble with their power plants and hence the lights go out and we're left in darkness.
This could sound like some bad horror movie, or, it could actually sound like Christianity.
You're probably thinking, 'What on earth is this [amazing, wonderful, awesome, inspirational, incredible ;) ] girl going on about?!'
Well think about it: how often in life is it easy to be a Christian when life is going well for us? 'Oh yes, I've got money, food, no work problems and I'm having an awesome week- God is so incredible! He's blessing me so much!'
Ahhh but then things take a turn: 'I can't afford all my bills this month, my food consists of tuna and 2 Minute Noodles, and everyone is turning against me at work- Where is God? Does He even exist? Why's He doing this to me?'
It's moments like this when your 'light' as a Christian goes out, and this is not what God calls us to! Acts 13:47 says, "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
God calls us to be a light to the world, to shine so that others can see Him, after all, 1 John 1:5 says "...God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."
If Ephesians 5:1 says, "...be imitators of God..", then does that not mean we should strive to become like God and do what He does? We should be following God, and that means 'copying' Him by being light and not darkness.
It's the times when we have to 'fix our machinery' that we tend to give into the darkness. This isn't a joking matter. Look at how Eskom's load shedding (due to their malfunctioning power plants) is affecting people all over the country; when your light goes out, it isn't only you that is left in darkness. What about all those people in the future who you were going to touch with your light? Or what about all the people who are relying on your light right now?
This isn't to scare you, but it is a reality: as Christians, we have people's lives relying on us. It is not an easy journey. Christianity is NOT for 'sussies'.
We just look at Paul for example. He was an amazing man! He kept spreading the Good News, even after being beaten, jailed and stoned.
In fact, Acts 20:19 says "I served the Lord with great humility and with tears..."
Paul served with TEARS. Usually when people cry, it's not because they're enjoying something or feeling incredibly happy. Paul went through some tough times and I think his heart sometimes broke for the people who wouldn't accept Christ.
One thing about Paul though, is he never let them stop him.
Acts 16:37, "But Paul said to the officers, 'They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out."
Freak I love this man! He is so inspirational! As Christians we should not go out without a fight. The situation could be hard, but we are hardcore too!
I love this too:
In Acts 21:27-40, Paul is arrested and beaten. Verse 35 says that "the violence of the mobs was so great he [Paul] had to be carried by the soldiers."
But did Paul let that stop him! NO! In verse 39, Paul asks the commander of the Roman army if he can speak to these people. How hectic is that! Here's this group of people rioting, trying to kill you, and you want to SPEAK to them?! I don't know about the rest of you, but I probably would have been half way to China by then!
Better yet, Paul went on to tell his testimony- he used this to preach a solid message. He refused to let his light go out, even when the world around was trying to blow his flame out.
So there we go. Christianity is not easy. When people around you are indulging in sin that is just so tempting, you have to say no. And frankly, sometimes it sucks. But is it worth it? Heck yeah!
Jesus Himself warns us that our journey will not be easy. But isn't it true that the hardest journeys are usually the most worthwhile? I mean after you've done Comrades for example, that sense of achievement you feel must be INCREDIBLE. That hard work paid off.
And the cool thing with God, is He is always with us and His Word is always there to encourage us.
John 16:33 says, (and I LOVE this verse), "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Woooow! If Jesus overcame the world and we are meant to be like Him, then we too should be able to overcome the world :D
Remember, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)
Don't hide away.
Let your light shine.
Do not let load shedding put your light out.
"Light always trumps darkness. It always has, and it always will. Therefore... If you believe that your world is darkening...if you believe that the culture of your nation is growing dimmer by the year...don't blame it on the dark! Darkness is only doing what darkness does.
If darkness is winning the battles, my friend, it is because light is not doing its job. You are light. So wake up. Wake up."
Andy Andrews
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