Matchsticks

Mark 16:15 (NKJV)

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

I saw an image the other day that really got me thinking. It may even have been an ad to try to explain why social distancing is needed. The image was a match in a book that was above the rest of the other matches. The idea, of course, was that by keeping its distance, the match on fire would not ignite the other matches. When it comes to the Gospel, that match on fire is doing nothing to advance God’s word!

Make Disciples Of Who?

We should be believers that are spreading the gospel to every creature… everyone… nobody should be excluded. So, if we go back to the matchbook illustration, the match on fire should be influencing each of the matches around it. The match should not be trying to figure out which one needs to be on fire, which one needs to be affected, which one wants to be on fire, it should simply attempt to light every other match on fire. Very plain, very simple, every match!

A Matchstick On A Hill

We are encouraged in Matthew 5:14–15… (14) “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house… In order for us to make an impact on other people, we must be seen. We have to be in our communities, we have to be making a positive difference, we cannot hide our light. We also cannot think of ourselves as being any higher or more important than those we are trying to affect. In our matchstick example, the match is so far above the other matches, it will never be able to ignite the others. If the match put itself on the same level as the other matches, allowed itself to integrate with the others, the matchstick would be able to make a true impact on the other matches.

Let Your Light Shine!

We all have stories, we have all been impacted by the Lord, we can all shine a tremendous light into the communities we live in. Matthew 5:16 tells us… (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven… We can be a matchstick that is set above the rest of the matches, or we can be a matchstick that allows our fire to burn bright before other matchsticks. We can be a glowing example of the promises God has promised us. We can ignite the community around us for a God that is so good to us. Let your light shine!

Closing Thoughts:

When we allow our light to shine before men, those in darkness will see our glorious light and be attracted to it. Let your light shine!

John 8:12 (NKJV)

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”