Acts 2:38-47

What should the church look like?  Acts 2:38-47 gives us a good idea - it's a family.  A family that helps each other, eats together, praises God together, learns together.  A family that goes out and lets their light shine. 

Now, "let their light shine" is a good old Christian term.  What exactly does it mean?  To "let your light shine" is to simply live your life in obedience to God.  To let others see your devotion, commitment, peace, and joy.  People will judge your words according to your actions.  If you tell them about the goodness of God, His love, His help, His peace, but you yourself don't live a life of love, joy, goodness, and peace - then what will they think?  I'll tell you what they'll think - they will think you are a hypocritical salesman pushing an outdated fairytale down their throats.  Why should they believe when you obviously don't?

So, does this mean I need to simply put on a good face and fake happiness, joy, love, and peace?  Nope - that's where your relationship with God comes in.  You can't preach a relationship unless you have one.  Life will sometimes get you down.  Jesus told us this life will be hard, there will be obstacles, hurts, and hurdles.  But others will see when you put your faith in God.  They will also see when you whine, complain, and get plain old nasty and bitter. 

That's why you have a family in Christ.  A family that prays with you, encourages you, helps keep you accountable.  A family with which to share your hurts and sorrows.  A family that will help build you up, not tear you down.  A family that will be open and honest with you.  A family that will remind you that God has your back.  He's waiting to help you through the hard times.  And when He does, you can go back out into that hard, cold world and share how God helped you through the trials with His great love.