It is has been a while since I have posted. Life in Washington/Union has been a bit busy. The youngest of the Union Wildcat basketball family, my 7th grade team, is 3-2 thus far with a tough week ahead. I hope we can have a winning record at Christmas. Bible Bowl at Washington has been great. Won the last Greenwood Round Robin.
I am a fan of the "Star Wars" movies as many of you know. I recall a quick scene in the first of the original trilogy and number 4 (A New Hope). The Rebels are attacking the Death Star and a missle is fired in an attempt to enter the exhaust shaft and trigger a massive explosion. When it is shot, there is hope and excitement among the Rebel Alliance, but the shot doesn't enter the shaft. It barely misses and has only surface impact on the Death Star.
I thought a lot about those words "surface impact." In the "Star Wars" movie they meant that the Death Star was hit and slightly affected, but nothing lasting. I am afraid that is what happens to a lot of people with respect to Jesus Christ. He makes a "surface impact" and that's about it.
In Luke 8 Jesus tells a parable about a sower and some seed. He notes, later, that the seed is the word of God. The different kinds of soil represent the different kinds of people who hear God's word. Some have the word taken from their hearts by the devil. Some are shallow and do not last. Others have the word choked out by the cares and concerns of the world. A few, though, are good soil. They are the ones that receive the word and allow it to grow and produce a crop.
Now, I know you have heard that parable many times. I thought about it again, however, this morning. I am convinced that there are too many people for whom Jesus only makes a surface impact. They are the rocky soil that doesn't go deep or produce a lasting crop. The Christmas season is upon us. Everywhere you look, you get the feeling of Christmas. The light poles are decorated in both Union and Washington. There is Christmas music on 24/7. Churches are doing their part with programs and events designed to highlight the "reason for the season."
It is all there, but does it really make a difference? I hope you can answer "yes" to that, but not so much with words as actions. You see, a "surface impact" is all about words. One who has allowed Jesus "surface impact" knows the right words. He attends church. He serves as a deacon, maybe even an elder. He has read the Bible, at least some. He is concerned about his image. He wants to look Christian in all he does. He wants to sound Christian in all he says. He is very driven to appear to be a leader and a follower of Christ.
Did you catch the key words there? "Image." "Look." "Sound." "Appear." These are the marks of "Surface Christianity" and are, what I think, Jesus condemned in the Pharisees. One who has allowed Jesus to have real impact is much different. The Death Star exploded into bits when real impact was made. While I don't want to stretch the metaphor too far, I think a life that has really been impacted by Jesus is permanently and radically altered.
Those who really are affected by Jesus, as in the parable, bear good fruit that will last. They live lives worthy of note. They don't just give testimonies, they live them. They don't seek the spotlight of other's attention. They live out their faith in anonymity and obscurity seeking only the Lord's favor. They are different in the way they deal with others. They exude kindness, compassion, gentleness and the rest of the fruits of the Spirit. They don't make excuses for bad behavior by claiming, "Well, I'm not a finished product." In short, they are clearly becoming "little Christs" (Christians).
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. More than that, though, I hope Jesus Christ impacts and explodes upon your life in a way that alters it forever. Thanks for reading....
