Light

 

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend [or overpower] it.” (John 1:4 – 5). “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.” (John 1:9).

 

While few professing Christians actually share Jesus Christ with those who don’t know Him, at times those who do witness lack compassion, love, grace, and an identification with humanity; they often see themselves as separate and apart from others. This is the opposite of Paul, who identified himself with his audience. For example, in Athens he said, “…for in Him [God] we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’” Paul not only identified himself with his audience in their common humanity, he also identified their common humanity has having its origin in God.

 

Since Christ gives light to everyone, even in our fallen condition, we have common ground with everyone. This common ground may not always be readily apparent, because often our differences are the things that jump out at us. Our challenge, indeed our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ, is to find common ground with others, it is to find the shared light and understanding that we have with others, and to communicate to others on the basis of that shared light. Of course to do this we have to listen to others, to pay attention to others, and to put others before ourselves.

 

What might this common ground look like? It could be love of family. It could be a sense of social justice. It could be a love of nature. It could be a love of sports – yes sports, God loves playtime, He loves the joy it brings – of course when we make it a god that is different, but play is good for the soul. It could be vocational fulfillment, the satisfaction of a job well done.

 I once asked a coworker, who dearly loved his son, where a love like that came from; from there I was able to share about God our Father and His love for us in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

What common ground do you share with your coworkers, neighbors, and others? How might you use this shared light to share about the true Light that gives light to us all and promises a fuller Light and Life to those who come to know Him?