Witness...are you in hiding?

A number of years ago Harrison Ford starred in a movie about a young Amish woman who witnessed a murder committed by police officers. For her safety she was sent back to her home under the protection of Ford’s character until she was able to testify at their trial. The story then revolved around the accused group of people trying to kill her and eliminate her witness. The title of movie was, appropriately, Witness.

I’ve read a while back a book by theologian Christopher Wright called The Mission of God’s People. It speaks to the role that followers of Jesus are expected to fulfill, the role of being witnesses for Christ. This is our mission and yet, as in the movie, we face opposition and misunderstanding.

What comes to mind when you think of being a witness? An evangelist like Billy Graham? An annoying person handing out gospel tracts on a street corner? Perhaps your own awkward attempts to share your faith with someone you know? Yes, those are all part of it but this idea of being a witness is far bigger than that and often our preconceived ideas keep us out of circulation, of little use to God.

We are bear witness to what God has done in us (Romans 2:15) but how do we do that? How do we engage an increasingly skeptical world that is as tired of religion as I am?

Jesus, at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, said this: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt.5: 14-16)

Our lives are to radiate light, that’s the illustration Jesus gave us. What does light do? Light attracts, light illuminates. That’s why it’s not to be hidden. We are to live our lives in plain view of the world around us, not pretend or pose but real, authentic life. When we show our lives, blemishes and all, when we admit we’re not perfect (and show it!) but point to the one who is perfect and where our hope lies, that’s a witness.

So how do we do it then? Remember that classic event from kindergarten: show and tell? We show those around us the difference God has made in our lives, the impact, the change, the HOPE that we have THEN we tell. Today, most people don’t care what you know but they are interested in the difference what you know has made. That is compelling. Has God made a visible difference in your life? Can you see it yourself? If not, you may want to re-examine how well you know God since our call is to go into the world and make disciples of the nations (Matt.28:19)

Does your light shine or is it hidden? Have you been a witness to a great work in your life and kept it secret? Realize we have an enemy, the devil, who wants to take out our witness, just like the hit men in the movie Witness. His desire is to ensure your light stays hidden and if possible, even extinguish it. We can’t let that happen. Instead, when we are a witness it not only helps those who hear but also reinforces the message for us. How cool is that? So go into the world and let your light shine!

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