Have you ever seen the moon setting in the west, on the horizon just before dawn, and it looks like it is reflecting the sun even though the sun is rising in the east? It is breathtaking! As it hangs just above the horizon, it looks like a ball of fire as it slowly slips out of sight. And while this has more to do with how close the moon is to the earth’s surface at the time, it looks like it is so intensely reflecting the sun, nothing can stop it from burning bright.
A city on a hill, a lamp left burning – staying so close to the Son that we are like a ball of fire, reflecting His light. “You 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.” Matthew 5:14-16
Staying close to the Son: I think of the apostle Paul who was such a strong example of being a light to everyone; even in his darkest moments he was a burning light – to those who were already believers and to those who needed to hear the gospel message. Throughout his letters in God’s word we see him serving in sharing the gospel, and in discipling fellow believers to spur them on in living a life of serving Christ. Which should lead us to ask the question: are we following his example, and the example of Christ? As Paul completes his letter to the Philippians, he reminds all of us, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9
In John 15, Jesus tells us in His own words, “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” (John 15:4) And in Matthew 20:26-28 and Mark 10:43-45, Jesus reminds us: “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus didn’t base his service on if everyone else was holding up their end. He did what His Father asked of Him. Paul didn’t serve only when the people were pouring back into him. Philippians 4:11-13: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Going to church is not just for hearing God’s word, and it’s definitely not to be for our entertainment. It is to worship God and to also serve one another, pouring into each other. If we focus on serving each other, it comes back around to us to be served as we are serving; it’s a beautiful circle of Sonlight and keeps our lamp burning. If we all go to church just to be served, we’re missing the whole picture. On the flipside, let us not use our imperfections as a reason to stay away from church either.
What if (for illustrative purposes) the moon would decide that, since the stars aren’t shining as brightly as they could to light up the night sky, it shouldn’t have to do anything tonight either. Seems silly, I know. But hopefully it makes the point that we all work together, helping each other stay close to the Son so we can brightly burn together – a city on a hill and a lamp always burning.