Spotlight or Beacon?

I recently learned that a lighthouse serves two purposes, to warn boats of dangerous areas and to serve as a navigational aid. The light of the lighthouse is called a beacon, this beacon acts as a guiding and warning signal.

As believers we are to be that beacon to others. A light that continually leads others to Jesus, but also lovingly warns them of the dangers of the enemy.

Sadly we are often seen as spotlights. The definition of a spotlight is: a lamp projecting a narrow, intense beam of light directly onto a place or person. Did you get that? "A narrow, intense beam directed at a person." Yes somehow Christians can become self righteous and feel they have a right to shine a spotlight of condemnation on others failures, mistakes, and sin. Oh how quickly we forget the mercy God has shown us. Why can't we show this same mercy to others? It is not our job to spotlight others in condemnation. The Holy Spirit lovingly pursues and convicts us and transforms us into a new creation.

We are to follow Christ and be that beacon that guides others to Him not away from Him.

I was in a dark struggle years ago and a wise friend told me "what's happening is not really what's going on" meaning God is doing more than we can imagine in our circumstances. We may not physically see it, but He is working out something beautiful.

My point is this, we don't know everyone's story. We don't know what kind of childhood the angry and grumpy man down the street had. We don't know the personal struggle that friend who has become distant is battling. We don't understand the disappointments the cold hearted lady at church has experienced. We don't see the pain behind the sarcastic and rude person. 

So if we don't know the whole story of another's life, how can we shine our condemnation spotlight on them? Instead let's be that beacon. Let's be the light that invites people out of their pain and darkness into the love of Jesus. Let's guide them to the One who does know their life story, who does understand their pain, who does desire to make beauty from ashes in their lives. Let's guide them to the One who will heal their heart and bind their wounds.

No one needs our spotlight shining into all their faults and sin. Deep down they already know they need something more and bigger than themselves. Our job is to love them and beckon them to come to Jesus. Let's be a beacon that shines in the darkness, because they are looking for the Light just like we were when we were lost in darkness.