The Light Shineth in Darkness

"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." - John 1:5

I witness about Christ because it is His command that I witness about Him. Because I want people to go the Way that I am going, to know the Truth that I have known, to see the Light that I have seen.

But who understands that?

"Don't push your religion on people." (Though I never push.)

"Don't you dare judge me!" (Though I never spoke a word of judgement.)

"That's nice that you're living for a good cause ... But I like partying" (Though it has nothing to do with anything I do...)

"I know, I know, I'm a sinner, I'm going to hell. F*-off." (... Before I say a word.)

Every missionary, every preacher, every evangelist has encountered this. It's almost impossible to even speak the name of Christ before the unbelieving world reels back in defense.

And we could walk with the confidence that comes of good faith, and praise His name for all of His glory and grace, and shine the good deeds that result of God's Spirit, and the Light itself could be manifest in us, plain-sight for all to see: all the things that we were commanded to be!

... But would it change a thing?

Paths don't conform to your steps; you conform to theirs. And Truth is not relative to each man, but he either has or he doesn't. And what stands in darkness remains in light, but the Light reveals all.

It is difficult, in perpetual darkness, to see which trees are the sweet fruit-bearing deciduous, and which are the thorny pines ... But cast the moon upon them, and you'll see what always was.

Can a pine become a pear tree, or a pear tree a pine? Can you speak to one and convince it to become the other? Were both not made by God and decided from the beginning? But taste the fruit of each; it won't take long to know which is which.

We do not preach so that pines can become pear trees, but so that the Light which is within us will reveal both; so that with that Light, the pear tree will be nourished and bear fruit (which will go to sow more seeds.) This part in the Kingdom of God has been assigned to every man that knows Him.

(Writing-on-Stone, Alberta, Canada - 2005)