“If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perish.” (2 Corinthians 4:3 NLT)
This Is the second mediation in a series of three, inspired by the three t-shirts I purchased a couple of days ago. Go back and see what I said yesterday if you must. And yes, I did say “series.” Why not? We watch playoff series, the World Series, daytime soap opera series, and streaming series. Some of you may have even read every published book based on some science-fiction/fantasy series. Do the words “Harry Potter” or “X-Men” or “The Unexplained” ring a bell? So, why not a short series of Mark Writes meditations? They are brief, equivalent or less than the number of words on a page in a typical book, So, I thought you would appreciate each one of the three accounts about my three, new T-Shirts, coupled with a little scriptural emphasis.
The second T-Shirt has one word, “Hidden” written on the middle of the shirt in the front, as well as down towards the waist on the back. The color of the T-Shirt is a brown and orange, a camouflage, military type design. At first, I did not think it would be appropriate based on Jesus’ teaching below. We certainly don’t want to stop letting our light shine. We definitely don’t want to hide our faith and the fact that it is not us, but the Christ who lives in us. No, we want to keep singing that children’s song that we use to sing to the top of our lungs, loudly, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine! Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m going to let it shine.” I can hear your little voice now, trying to sing louder and bolder than the children besides you. Smile!
Yes, at first, I hesitated to buy “The Second T-Shirt” for a moment. But then I thought, “Hmmm? This T-Shirt might be used as a segue that sets a bridge to engage in some serious personal evangelism with someone who inquires or comments about the word “Hidden.” Maybe, as part of the closing verses, just may be “by opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up to God. Influence others, from a righteous perspective, to open up to God, for this is an endeavor that applies to all believers. Influence individuals who need to turn to God, seeking repentance, find reconciliation with the Father, and raise their trust in the Lord. And it surely applies to the unbeliever who needs to look at what a difference God can make in their lives.
Well, you don’t need “The Second T-Shirt to engage in personal evangelism. You can merely inject the word, surprisingly, in everyday conversations, and respond to the person who says, “Why did you say “Hidden?” Let them know. Have a great Saturday, revealing the Lord of our great salvation to others. Furthermore, don’t be “Hidden” tomorrow when the saints of God assemble at your local church. If you come to the church I pastor tomorrow, I’ll be the one standing in the pulpit with one of my new T-Shirts! Be blessed!
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King