牧者心聲 Pastor's Message
12/13/2009
Knock! Knock! …. Your Light Is On!
Matthew 24.36, 44: “No one knows about that day or hour… so you also must be ready.”
Sometimes I walk my dog, Kobe, late at night after I get back home
from the city. It could be 1030-1100pm. So everyone is asleep, or going to
bed. At this time of night it is just the two of us, the moon and the stars. I
may take the opportunity to speak to the Father and share about my day (so
then it is really the three of us). At other times, as I am strolling along the
sidewalk with my dog, I feel like the neighborhood watch at times. All I need
is a lantern and I’m set. But I am the neighborhood watch, in a way. So far,
I’ve noticed two neighbors who have left a light in their car on accidentally.
Now, what would you do in this case? Would you ring the doorbell
late at night, or just walk by and say, “Forgetful idiots…” Or, “That happened
to me. I learned the lesson the hard way. So this will teach this forgetful
person to check behind themselves more often.” … Or maybe you don’t even
notice that the light is on in the car as you walk by?
What crosses my mind is, “Is this an opportunity to share with the
neighbors, or say, ‘Hello?’ and introduce myself?” But then I think, “No. That
would be too confusing. I think I am already scaring them enough by
knocking on their door late at night.” With an unannounced knock at the
door, unless it was the police, I would assume that the person at the door was
trying to get in and rob me via forceful entry.
In each case for me, I’ve walked up to the house and knocked on
their front door. Usually the inhabitants are a little puzzled, so I have to
knock a few times. Then I quickly say, “Sorry to bother you, but I noticed that
you left a light on in your car. Good Night!” Why? Because a dead battery is
not something you want to wake up to in the morning—even less so to
happen if you woke up late and you are in a rush to work or school. And these
neighbors are always appreciative of this neighborly gesture.
But, upon reflection, I missed something. The wise men came after
seeing a light of their own and spoke to Herod. The shepherds, late at night,
were abruptly woken by the angels—announcing the birth of Jesus. This is
the action I missed doing. Speaking of Jesus. But I will try to do it the next
time I see these neighbors at a more convenient time than when they are in
their pajamas. Or when I find another light on I might leave saying, “Good
Night, God Bless!” May we all find ways to share our faith and about our
savior Jesus Christ!
Brother Benjamin Chung
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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