By Judy Wallace
I enjoy writing, so being able to participate in these weekly articles has truly been a blessing. However, sometimes I draw a blank on what to share, especially when we base all articles on the same topic for the entire year.
This was my conundrum as I prepared for this one. I thought, stewed, prayed and thought some more. Then, the day before, I sat down to write, I slid into my car after running errands, turned on The Message XM station, and started driving. The very next song played was titled “What Are You Waiting For?” I knew immediately that God had spoken to me with this question, and I thought He might do the same for you.
How would you answer this question when it comes to going and telling about Jesus? When it has to do with evangelism? When it deals with sowing seeds of truth? When it addresses building relationships, etc.? No matter your answer, it will be an excuse unless you are already following His direction to go and tell.
When I got home, I looked up the lyrics to the song. There was one phrase that really caught my attention. “What if we could be the light that no one could ignore? What are we waiting for?”
Be the light that no one could ignore.
• Be means to show the characteristics of someone or something. When I think of the characteristics of Jesus Christ, I think of the passage in Philippians 2 where we see His humility and obedience. Paul begins with several rhetorical “ifs”. He is basically asking, “Aren’t you encouraged by belonging to Christ? Don’t you feel comforted by His love? Is there no fellowship between you and the Holy Spirit? Is your heart not more tender and compassionate because you belong to Him?” He then states that if these things are true, then they shouldn’t be doing things out of selfishness or conceit, but instead put others first and look to the interest of others instead of their own. Same goes for us, and those things can’t be ignored. So, “What are you waiting for?”
• Light is the spiritual symbol of God’s presence and truth. Jesus called Himself “The Light of the World.” Then at another time, He said, “Ye are the light of the world.” How are both possible? He answered that in John 8:12 when He said, “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” Paul concurred in Eph. 5:8 when he said, “But now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” We are the light because we are in Him and He is in us. That can’t be ignored by a very dark world. So, “What are you waiting for?”
• Ignore means to pay no attention or refuse to notice. It is impossible to ignore kindness, compassion, joy and friendliness. It is impossible to ignore a smiling face and a pleasant attitude. It is impossible to ignore helpfulness and a servant heart. All of these open the door to going and telling. So, “What are you waiting for?”
— These articles are shared via the National WMA web page blog that can be accessed at nationalwma.org/blog.
