Light in Dark Places

By John Hubbs on January 24, 2012 in Departments, LLM February 2012, Magazine, [Foundation]

Versión en Español → Spanish

by John Hubbs

He faced the same reality many of us do. God changed us, but our environment remained the same. Jesus calls us to be light, but how do we live as believers in a heathen world?

Ever see a floodlight circling in the sky to draw attention to a big sale? Sometimes the church tries to be like that. I frequently drive past a large church that boasts on its billboard that it serves Starbucks. I am a coffee lover, but still I think, “Really, is that the most important thing I can find here?” This church tries to draw people to the light by filling sacred time and space with popular culture.

Naaman reminds us that our calling is to take that which is holy to where it is not already present, to invade the dark territory (Ephesians 6:12) with our light (Matthew 5:14–16). That is not only difficult but can seem rather risky.

As an Army chaplain, my daily challenge is to be as incarnational as I can in ministry without becoming too much like those to whom I minister. Typical Army conversations and lifestyles aren’t exactly wholesome. I have regretted joining some discussions and laughing at some jokes, but I consider those instances less of a failure than times when I have been absent.

Like Naaman, sometimes I am the guy folks lean on. I want to be there with the light of Christ.

Scripture:
2 Kings 5:1–18
Ephesians 6:12
Matthew 5:14–16