From: The Pastor’s Heart
To: You
Title: “The Ministry of the Table Lamp”
I walked into my living room this morning a little earlier than normal and realized that I
immediately began making my way toward a piece of furniture, the table lamp. It’s
probably the least noticed item in the room and almost never a topic of discussion by
anyone. Actually, the only time we mentioned our enjoyment or frustration about it was
the few times we reached under the shade to turn it on only to discover the bulb was
blown. That, thankfully, was not the case today. When I reached this morning to turn it on,
it did just that. It lit up the room.
I then began comparing myself with the lamp and asked if I have enough discipline to
always be ready to brighten the room when someone needs me to illuminate it for them.
Our lives are meant to touch others in a positive and productive way and so often we are
not afforded the option of providing that touch at only optimal times. Most people’s
problems don’t come into your arena expectedly, but rather they show up quite
unexpectedly. It puts you in a challenging spot where you must reach quickly inside your
spiritual intellect and arsenal to find an answer for a dilemma you didn’t realize was
coming your way.
In Colossians (4:5-6), the word of the Lord says that we should, “Walk in wisdom toward
them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace,
seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Once it has
been determined that you are a firm believer in God and that you’ve studied Him and the
doctrine of His will, then it’s going to be expected of you to provide direction and insight
to those with spiritual needs. The question won’t be wether or not people will come to get
council and direction from you, the question is will you be ready when they need your
light to shine.
It’s not that it’s simply a good idea to be ready to know how to answer every man, it’s
literally a necessity and a requirement of God that we master this responsibility. The word
tells us to “Study to show ourselves approved unto a God. A workman that need not to be
ashamed. A workman who can rightly divide the word of truth. You have been given this
day make a difference and to help as many as you can gain a true understanding and
appreciation of who the Lord is.
My favorite new testament bible verse is Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before
men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father in heaven.” Today, be that
table lamp that stands ready at all times to pierce into the dark places and reveal a much
needed truth to everyone in the room.
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH
PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW
OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR
PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO
THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and
professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly,
or carnally.
We Are The LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)