Light

As a member of a group of only 80 or so people who attend Sheboygan County Christian High School, there is a camaraderie between us. Not simply: "I like to hang out with you cause your a fine 'ol fellow" but, something more along the lines of: "We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, we share the same hopes, goals and faith." A group of us in public can do amazing things. People see us, they see us loving one another, laughing with one another, using our words to build one another up and still be able to poke fun. Yesterday I was able to hang out with 8 people, not all of us from Christian High, (in fact some were from....Lutheran...) but we all share our faith. Another group of people played in a volleyball court adjacent to ours, as our game went on someone on their side asked if we would be willing to play a game against them. We looked at each other and said "Sure!: Why not?" About one point into the match it became decidedly clear that our friends were probably not brothers and sisters. They asked us what school we went to and the verdict was: Christian High, Lutheran High and one homeschooler. The difference we saw after that was almost funny. One member of their team would swear and somebody else would whisper urgently "Don't swear! Their from Christian!" We shrugged it off and had a great game, making new friends and laughing.

This experience is one I hope all of my fellow Christians can have. To see a group of people change their entire attitude because we were Christians is awesome. They saw us encouraging one another, not swearing, (although they did enjoy my habit of using the word: Biscuit! in situations that constitute something to be yelled.) being good sports and maybe most importantly: Encourage them. I don't think one of us saw the game as something to be won, but we saw them as people to be won. The fun came when we saw our friends later at the ice cream parlor, to exchange jokes with them and to continue being a light.

Matthew 5:16  

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Life is hard, people are profane, friendships are difficult, but because God is good, friendships are possible and when you have friendships and a good God, you can make profane people friends and brothers.