"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” {Mt 5:14-16 THE MESSAGE}
Listen, dear friends. Isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world's down-and-out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God.” {Jas 2:5 THE MESSAGE}
Tanya Lewis and her husband Bobby are missionaries to Germany and Ireland. While she was in Germany the other day she recounted a story that was inspiring.
Tanya recalls,” I encountered an older woman at the store today. She told me about the time when she was girl during the World War 2, the American tanks would roll through and soldiers would give candy and fruit to the children. That was the first time she had ever seen an orange in her life! She was so excited to speak to an American, and tell me her stories. I know America has its problems, but there are people in the world who still love it! God bless America!”
Can you see that scene in your mind? Can you see the liberation of Germany from an awful dictator by the allied army? The sound of rolling tanks and shouts of victory! The people shouting in the midst of the rubble of bombed out buildings and broken homes and businesses. What an amazing panorama. That may have meant little to a child who could not understand, but a random act of kindness did.
Tanya was not there when that soldier gave out those pieces of fruit and candy. She was not even born. But she represented that soldier long ago by one thing, her citizenship in America. I know that made Tanya feel special!
Even though Tanya was in a foreign land, her citizenship in America meant something to someone else. To that lady, America represented giving, kindness and love. So she expected that all Americans were the same, so she was glad to meet one. That is idealistic, perhaps, but it is telling. That older lady remembers a giving soldier and associated him with America and her citizens. A giving heart and life of one person paved the way for Tanya to have a conversation with a total stranger. That German lady did not mention the impact of the tanks, or the solder’s uniform, all she remembers is the fruit and the candy that was given by one kind soldier.
Jesus paved the way for us as the original citizen of heaven. Jesus, by his life, came rolling in as the conqueror of sin and death. He was and is the great liberator! But the giving of his life has made the greatest impact on this world!
We, as citizens of heaven, by default represent him. Can they assume we are giving and kind because of our citizenship? Will they say, “I am so excited to meet a Christian” because we were well represented in the past? In the future, will we be the Christian soldier spoken of with grateful words because we gave out the fruit and sweetness of Christ to others?
Though we are strangers and foreigners in this world, we represent him that went before us, Jesus Christ. It is not our uniform, the powerful way we pray or the rolling volume of our worship that is impressive. It is not even what we believe alone that makes the greatest impression on people. It is the power of giving that makes our citizenship so attractive. Yes, the Americans were coming to conquer the enemy and bring liberation. That is all very important. But what was most significant to a young child years ago? It was just one kind and giving citizen! With all the imperfection of the church has today let’s be known for our love and giving
Let’s give the real, sweet authentic love of Jesus. Let them say we had never seen anything like that before till some gave it. We are never more like God that when we give…”God so loved he gave…” it may open up a
powerful conversation!
Thanks for sharing, Tanya!
Pastor Mike
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