We Are The Light of the World

I am so thankful that my life is never short of inspirational people who continue to challenge and inspire me and equip me to better serve those around me.

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In a pleasantly-unexpected email, I was invited to read Kathryn’s new “Blessings Blog,” in which she intentionally takes time out of each day to reflect on what she is thankful for. She hits the nail on the head in that we are abundantly blessed each and every day despite our shortcomings. I so appreciate her efforts to bring to light the little things people take for granted, when truly we believe all those little good things come from God.

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During IST I was met with some harsh criticism on my character that was both humbling and hurtful. The important thing was that I left the situation feeling that I learned how I could improve my character. 

This being said, in the midst of being taught this lesson, I slipped into my old habit and wrote an email that I’m not proud of (prompted by frustration at our differences) to some of my siblings. After hitting send, I was hit with that sick feeling of, “What have you done? That was a terrible thing to say.” I couldn’t take back what I’d said, so I was left to wait in anxiety of how they’d respond.

My brother’s response to my email was met with tears of thankfulness that he was compassionate and so open in his response to me. I still maintain today that I didn’t deserve such a kind email after what I said, and I will not soon forget the things I continue from people who I don’t normally go to for deep conversations. If you are reading this, Brian, know that that email has still left a big impression on me. 

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Yesterday a dialogue was started on our PC Indonesia FB group about calling ourselves “volunteers” if we still make decent money. Without going into the details here, my friend Joe advocates that we abandon this title. In our dialogue, he said two things that struck me: “I try to do my best to read the perspective of the poor and pass it on.”

Joe also shared with me something his professor said: “People will hate you for these opinions, but people who matter continue to starve if these opinions go unheard.”

At first I read this as, “the people who will listen need to hear these opinions so they are motivated to do more.” Yet when I read it again, I realized the other, perhaps more important meaning: “the people who we are called to serve need us to speak out with them even if others don't like what we advocate for.”

Joe did go to a Catholic university, so it wouldn’t surprise me if his professor was drawing from Jesus’ teaching about being hated for one’s revolutionary opinions:

 “You will be hated by all because of my name.” Matt 10:22

“You will be hated by all nations because of my name.” Matt 24:9

But what Jesus is teaching and what Joe is practicing is this- it doesn’t matter what other people think. As Dr. Seuss said, “Those that mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind.” Sorry, Dr. S, but I’d have to disagree that people who oppose your viewpoints don’t matter, but the point is to follow your heart if you know that what you are doing is serving a greater good and bringing about truth in the world.

Joe is constantly reflecting on some really awesome questions, I encourage you to look at his blog, "Thoughts from Indonesia." 

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The last person I want to give thanks for today is someone that I actually don’t know. "Kenny's Russian friend" did something I wish I had the courage to do. Instead of walking past the person who was sitting in the subway tunnel asking for money, Kenny’s friend stopped to talk to the person. She wanted to know about this person and give the person her time and attention, something that this person usually got from no one. I don’t know if Kenny’s friend gave the person something to eat or drink or money or just talked. At the very least, this young woman recognized this person’s humanity in a way that most people didn’t.

“Whatever you did for the least of these you did for me.” Matt 25:40

I am often torn when I see a person asking for money, something that is very frequent here in Indonesia. 

My American-ness tells me, “This is an able-bodied young person who is old enough and capable of working. Why is he playing a guitar in the middle of the road and soliciting money from passerby who don’t enjoy his 3-stringed, usually less-than-great music anyways?? We have to show him tough love and not give him anything so he finds some legitimate work to do.” 

My Christian-ness tells me, “Lend expecting nothing back.” Luke 6:35 

What to do?

Kenny’s friend would probably ask the person to sit by her on the bus and talk to her. I continue to be inspired by this story when I recall it. Like Kenny's friend,  How can I live as an extreme example of Jesus’ love? Right now, I do not give as freely as I should or could.

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All this being said, I am doing my best to be a positive influence to the people around me. Granted, they don’t know that my motivation comes from my Christian faith nor do they need to because they’d freak out and think I’m trying to convert them (which is definitely not the case! If anything, they're trying to convert me!) In my eyes, the important thing is the intention in my heart. Kathryn’s thanksgiving reflections, Brian’s compassion, Joe’s thoughtfulness, and Kenny’s friend’s bravery stand as examples of how I can better serve the people around me with a more pure heart.

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This song has been a joy to listen to these last few days. It is yet another reminder to be a better person because I stand for so much more than just myself. I will be seeing Kari Jobe when I go to the Hillsong Conference in July in Sydney! Please watch the YouTube video, too, for a beautiful example of someone whose style of worship is so pure. 

Kari Jobe

Her song is related to Matt 5:14, 16, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden...so you light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly [God]." 

"We are the light of the world"does not mean that we are the best and brightest, it simply means that we know the truth about how awesome God is and we were made to let that truth shine. In everything we do and say, we are to reflect the love we've been given. 

Admittedly, I often fall short. Fortunately, I am given a new chance each day and forgiven so frequently by everyone around me. 

"We Are" by Kari Jobe      

We are the light of the world,

We are the city on the hill.

We are the light of the world,

And we gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine.

We are the light, we are the light, we are the light,

So let your light shine brighter.