Corruption, hypocrisy, judgmental, close-minded, Mel Gibson. Think about these words for a minute. What is the first thing that comes to your mind? I bet nothing positive, or at least resembling any good feelings. What if I told you these were words used to describe a picture by my fellow classmates in an activity proposed by our professor? Anything new come to your mind? Now what if I told you that that picture was a cross? Go back and look at those words again, corruption, hypocrisy, judgmental, close minded, Mel Gibson, these are the first words that came to mind when our professor flashed the picture on the screen. This is not okay.
For those of you who do not know, I am getting a degree in Anthropology and the University of Tennessee. The anthropology program at UT is one of the top in the nation and therefore we have some of the greatest professors (who are really quite famous) teaching us. This particular class is Political Anthropology, which is the study of law, order, conflict, governance, and power across cultural contexts, time periods, and societies. The last several weeks we have looked at symbols and rituals in cultures and societies, and how they are the foundation to what we believe. Anyways, for one class out professor put up different pictures and the class called out the first thing that came to their mind. The first set were out of context, just a plain symbol, the next set were the symbols in context.
As the she put up the picture of the cross, I was interested to see what people would say. This is a politics class so everyone is very opinionated. But as the words began being shouted out I was stunned. Not only were these words so negative, but there was a tone behind each word from the students expressing the feelings of this image. I didn't know whether to burst into tears or fume with anger at myself and Christians in general. Then my professor said how she was surprised no one said love. Love, the entire foundation of the cross and no one said it. Then she summarized the words and noted how "fairly unbalanced" the words were and they were predominately "negative". I could not even focus on the rest of the class, as these words were burning into my brain. Someone/something has happened that has caused these students so feel this way. I felt a little defeated sitting in the middle of a mission field that I had accomplished nothing. What was I leaving behind at UT? A room full of unbelievers, hurting, and because of people who claim to love the same God I do. My heart broke as the reality of that statement sank in.
So many times as believers, we surround ourselves with other believers and check off the community the Lord calls us to have. And then we stop there, it is comfortable and convenient. We forget that the call of community is for the refilling and growing in Christ to go back out and be emptied again. I heard a story once of a three year old who got that far better than we do. She said you can't shine your light when it is already light around you; you need to go into the darkness. Wow. This kid gets it.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” –Matthew 5:16
We can learn a lot from this girl, and indeed need to apply this concept to our lives on a daily basis. When we become a believer the Holy Spirit comes upon on and His light is what shines through us. His light bouncing off hisself is not as affected than when it illuminates an entire population full of darkness. Whether that is a remote village in Africa, the Anthropology department, or your own family; we are called to go out of our comfort zone, out to the areas and people we are surrounded by, and to the corners of the earth.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” –Acts 1:8
I am reminded of the Sunday School song that some of us know so well...
I am reminded of the Sunday School song that some of us know so well...
"This little light of mine, I am gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! Hide it under a bush? Oh no! I'm gonna let it shine! Hide it under a bush? Oh no! I'm gonna let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! Don't let Satan blow it out! I'm gonna let it shine! Don't let Satan blow it out! I'm gonna let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!
I will not let the enemy get me down, or tell me lies. Those words of hurt and unfulfillment from my classmates will not be a determent, but a boost to flip the switch on my light to shine even brighter in the dark corner of campus that I frequent. And I challenge you too, to find your darkness and illuminate it!
I will not let the enemy get me down, or tell me lies. Those words of hurt and unfulfillment from my classmates will not be a determent, but a boost to flip the switch on my light to shine even brighter in the dark corner of campus that I frequent. And I challenge you too, to find your darkness and illuminate it!
“I am sending you to them to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.” – Acts 26:18
