The Time Has Come

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things..."


That's a famous line from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, written in 1872. But whether the Walrus said it or the Bible said it, the time has come. The time has come for us to combine our faith with our deeds and let the world see that we are followers of Christ. For if five men all stand in a room, dressed in business attire, and smiling, how do you pick out the Christ follower? Four may say that there is a God, three may even say that they believe there is only one God. To them you say, "Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder," (James 2:19). The Bible says we are to draw men to the Lord through the light of Christ that is within us (see Matthew 5:16). How are we to do that if the world can't tell that there is something different about us to be noticed?

Some believe that the Lord will only be "noticed" or "heard about" if one is screaming from the pulpit. Others believe it is through great tenacity. The Bible tells us we are all given different gifts to reach the world for Christ in our own ways (see Ephesians 4:11-12). I have a friend who is neither loud or pushy, and still I see her reaching many for Christ. At a First Wednesday service, maybe 6-8 months ago, someone gave a testimony and said that it was the sweet spirit of my friend who comforted him when he passed through the front doors of our church. He said it was her caring smile that gave him hope. I have often felt that way about my friend. She is the quietest person I know. In fact, it was one Sunday morning, about four years ago, that I walked into Bayside for the first time and was delighted to see my friend, greeting people at the front door. She's never been pushy or harsh. She's always been still in a world that is constantly in motion. She is a light for Christ in a style that is uniquely all her own.

We live in a time where we're running out of time. From the day that Christ ascended to heaven, the time of the end has been drawing ever closer. However, even the Son of Man said He did not know the day or hour when the end would come; only the Father knows that, (see Matthew 24:36). The recent earthquake in Haiti, a friend's pulmonary tumor surgery, a grandma's blacking out spells all make us realize that today is today, and no one knows what tomorrow will hold. We can't wait until "tomorrow" or "some day" to make a difference and a stand for Christ. Today is the only day we know we will have. Today we need to stand out so that the world will be drawn to the One who gives eternal life, the One who gives us that hope and that peace that keeps us moving forward all while the wind and waves crash around us.

There is a song that Britt Nicole sings, called "The Lost Get Found," that speaks to this:
Hello my friend / I remember when you were / so alive with your wide eyes / then the light that you had in your heart was stolen / Now you say that it ain't worth staying / you wanna run but you're hesitating / I'm talking to me / Don't let your lights go down / Don't let your fire burn out / 'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe / Why don't you rise up now / Don't be afraid to stand out / That's how the lost get found

Don't be afraid to stand out. That's how the lost get found. Isn't that what Jesus said He was here to do? Isn't that what we are called to do? Aren't we here "to seek and to save what was lost," (Luke 19:10)? Jesus often talks about His "little ones," the ones who are lost. He loves and cherishes those who are "found," but He runs after--and calls us to run after--those who are lost. His heart's desire is that all who are lost would be found. Those who are lost won't be found by you if you're too busy blending in with them. God gave you unique gifts: He "gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers," (Ephesians 4:11). Even with that, the Lord said we are many parts of one body, (see 1 Corinthians 12:12). He made us man and woman. He designed us uniquely, but all in His image. We are here to do the work of the Lord. We are called by the same God, but with unique missions. My mission and my way of doing it is not the same as yours. But, we are all called to be the Light of the Lord in this dark world, so that those who are lost can all find their way Home.