We hear frequent references to people living in glass houses. I guess this indicates that our actions and words are being observed by those around us. That had little meaning to me until the last couple years. I grew up on a dairy farm in northern Ohio. Our nearest neighbor was about one kilometer (half mile) away. One could not observe what the other was doing. Most of my life I have enjoyed having my personal space where I don't need to worry about bumping into someone else each time I turn around. I have felt at home in large open air markets, shopping malls, alone on airplanes, in large church meetings or in small prayer meetings as long as I can maintain my own "personal space".
Since posting a web site, that has all changed. Last year I wrote a daily journal/blog on the JPN site which I titled "JPN Lite Bytes". I think that lasted for about 11 months. I have kept a personal journal for years. It was a new experience to journal online. Several times I questioned if it was a good thing to do. I was very open about my daily life and expressed personal feelings rather openly and honestly. There was a haunting feeling of being "watched" as I wrote and maintained that journal. When I thought of canceling it or limiting access to it I learned that was one of the most popular sections of the JPN web site. It continues to be so with people reading Lite Bytes that recorded my life over a year ago. To me it would be like eating something that has passed the expiry date on the package. But some people seem to be interested in the personal aspects of the lives of others. Many entries did contain some spiritual insights and hopefully were somewhat inspiring or in some way encouraging.
It is quite common for ministers to speak into the lives of others in many different areas. We have no problem telling others that they ought to do. It is quite another story to tear down the pulpit that separates us from the congregation and to take off the clerical collars and robes. It is hard to be totally open about our personal life in a setting where we cannot control who sees and hears what goes on in our daily lives. I feel that there are many believers who would like to know what ministers are like when no one is looking. They want to know how ministers deal with the problems, temptations, failures, and victories in their personal lives. When I wrote that journal a number of people contacted me thanking me for the frankness. Some said that they were going through a similar trial and were encouraged to know they were not alone and to hear that God was faithful in the life of another.
In the past week, I have heard from several people from out of the past. With one there had been no contact for three decades. I have prayed for these regularly for most of that period of time. It has also become clear that some have been quietly reading the JPN monthly updates we send out by email. Others have been quietly visiting the web sites for quite some time without making contact.
Today I received a phone call at 9:10am JST from a retired high school English teacher. I have known him for about 28 years. As we exchanged greetings he asked if I had finished Communion yet? I nearly fell off my chair! He noted that he recently had begun reading in the JPN web site and gave a nice compliment about the content. What did all of this mean? He read and took notice that I mentioned my personal custom of taking Communion daily in the mornings. Another who recently "came in from cold" and made personal contact, noticed that I had called him a "young man" in a blog. These and other communications have forcefully informed me that people are visiting the web site and reading what is written in the blogs and social networking sites that I am a part of. I am being watched!
I have a feeling you are too. Don't be too smug about me being the only one living in a glass house. Heb 12:1 reminds us that there is a "great cloud of witnesses" who are observing what is going on in our lives on earth. Who are they? I honestly am not sure. But I do know that as believers, we are being watched. Our lives are being read on a daily basis. It begins at home. Those small children, grandchildren, teenagers, "young" people we have known in the past, along with those around us in our daily life. All are watching and listening much more closely than what we realize.
What shall we do? We can choose to withdraw and close the doors and shutters around us or we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is in us and is being displayed to the world through our lives. This really feels right! Could this be what He had in mind when He said we would be His witnesses in Acts 1:8 or even more so in Matt 5:14-16 when Jesus compared us to a city that is setting upon a hill. A spectacle that is intended to be looked at. To stand out from a dark and dismal world without hope or light.
How about it. Shall we get out our candles and begin singing the song that many of us learned in Sunday School? This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Go ahead and let your light shine. Don't be ashamed! No it is not perfect. The lens may not be totally clean or as focused as it could be, but it gives off light in a dark world. That is why we are alive on this earth today. We are supposed to be lights that point the way to Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God!
I pray that God uses you to show forth His Glory to all those around you near and far. Please in turn pray for me that I won't go back into my "personal space" and close the door behind me.
I truly want to continue, "Reaching One Among Millions"
Dan Corbett
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