In Need of the Church by Travis Creasy

SEE (Introduction)

During a five-week hospital stay I began everyday listening to the song “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning” from Johnny Cash’s “My Mother’s Hymn Book” album.

It is a song that uses the lighthouse as an example of helping those who are struggling.

The higher light is God’s light that stands for eternity. The lower lights can be viewed as us as individuals but it is made even brighter when we allow our “little light” to come together in the church and become a “gleam across the wave”.

• Constant- Hebrews 9:25,28; 10:14,18
• Humble- Hebrews 9:28, 10:12-14
• Understanding- Hebrews 4:15
• Reaching- Hebrews 9:28, 10:24
• Communal- Hebrews 10:20-22, 24-25: 11:16
• Healing- Hebrews 10:1-3

WHY

At the beginning of class we used the illustration of a lighthouse and how we as individuals – but also the church – are lights to those who may be in the dark and/or struggling.

In the video I mentioned the box of encouragement he received during his hospital stay that is filled with cards from all over the United States. The “lower lights” are what we are called to be. The box of encouragement is a practical way that people helped me through my Leukemia diagnosis.

What are some practical ways you have helped or have been helped during difficult times? Is there a difference between how we reveal the DNA of Christ to Christians compared to nonChristians?

How have you or your church been consistent or inconsistent?

How have you or your church shown humility in attempting to understand someone’s feelings or perspective?

How have you or your church reached out or promoted the idea of community?

What are some aspects of healing you’ve seen through the church or your actions?

Where does it seem like you might’ve failed?

SEE

In December of 2021, I ran in the St. Jude 5k. Part of the race was through the St. Jude campus. As it was early on a Saturday morning there were only a few of the young patients out to encourage us in our run. It was an emotional experience because I was there to encourage them and instead I was the recipient of their encouragement. The rest of my team was waiting on me at the finish line.

There is a difference between those who wait at the finish line (Hebrews 11:40-12:2), and those who are running alongside you or even those young patients cheering you on from the sideline.

Although their location along the journey may be different, their goal is the same. That goal is to encourage those they come in contact with whether through cards, calls, or to light the path through the hurdles and pitfalls we need the community of believers!