NO STEALTH CHRISTIANS

Acts 1:8

“. . . you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

 

I remember reading about stealth technology in Mechanics Illustrated when I was in high school.  For a long time after that, aside from the occasional rumor prompted by an unusual sighting or a suspicious crash somewhere out west, I really didn't hear much about stealth aircraft.  That all changed when the F-117As were used in the Gulf War.  As you all know, their primary function is to fly undetected through the enemy's radar; that is what they are uniquely designed to do.  And boy, did that design ever work!  According to a 1991 New York Times article, only 2.5% of the American aircraft in Iraq were F-117s, yet they struck more than 40% of the strategic targets; all without the loss of a single plane.

 

So sometimes stealth is helpful.  God seems to have a few stealth forces too.  You might remember that at one time Elisha and his servant seemed to be trapped, surrounded by the army, horses, and chariots of the king of Aram.  The servant was frightened until, at Elisha's request, God opened his eyes so that he could see the stealthy heavenly army of the Lord, with its horses and chariots of fire, in the hills around them.  They were there, they were real, they were powerful, but they were kept hidden from the eyes of the enemy.  (SEE 2 Kings 6:8-17).

 

My youthful attraction to stealth has never totally gone away; I think the technology is cool and, of course, it seems highly desirable to be able to take ground from the enemy without becoming a target yourself. But you know what?  That isn't how God designed Christians to be.  His purpose is to reveal Himself through us.  He always intended for His people to reflect His image.  He has filled us with His Spirit and made us stand out like strobe lights in a dark world.  Like it or not, you ARE the light of the world; so, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven" -- Matt. 5:16.

 

Pastor Keith Andrews