There it was, larger than life!
No way you could ignore it, even if you tried. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.
While driving down the road recently I saw someone proudly waving a flag from their car, a Honda Accord (vintage 1980s).
This individual went through an incredible amount of time, trouble, effort, and expense to get this done, because:
I would include a picture, but I didn’t want to use my cell phone while driving. You know, safety first.
The undeniable fact is that this person was serious about boldly proclaiming what he believed in. How about us?
In the United States the month of October ushers in the holiday season. I know, you wouldn’t think of Halloween (observed on October 31) as a mainstream holiday, but unfortunately it has become just that. And with so much emphasis about the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s), there are some who tend to place their emotions on “auto-pilot” (a defense mechanism) in order to get through them as quickly and as unscathed as we can.
But what if we Christians were as serious about taking the opportunity during the holidays—beginning with Halloween—to proudly, creatively, and unapologetically share our own faith flag through service to others in our orbit? Always, of course, with love, respect, couched in cultural relevance and sensitivity; but serving and sharing boldly and clearly what we believe, who we worship, and why we worship Him! It is amazing how effective service to others opens the door for sharing about Jesus, and how one can have an eternal relationship with Him.
Ellen White outlined the power of this process when she wrote: “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with [men and women] as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” We need to getting much closer than we to those in need. We need more time in helpful service,less preaching too
“There is need to come close to the people by personal effort. If less time were given to sermonizing, and more time to personal ministry, greater results would be seen.” Working in this way, Christ’s way, we will reach all segments of society. “Accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit.”
Dwight L. Moody, evangelist and founder of Moody Bible Institute, rightly observed, “Remember, a small light will do a great deal when it is in a very dark place.”
Jesus said that Christians “are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16).
So take some time to think about how to more effectively and boldly fly your “Christian” flag.
Just don’t tear up anybody’s car in the process.
Know Jesus. Love Jesus. Live Jesus!
Omar Miranda, a counselor and writer, lives with his family in unplain Plainville, Georgia.
