Shine the Gospel

“Emergency 911” (TV show) did a story on two girls who almost went over Niagara Falls. Their boat drifted to close to the inlet gates. It was too late. They were some four or five hundred yards from the edge when they abandoned their boat. It was dark and they had a hard time seeing where to swim. The current was strong and they were losing all chances of ever being saved. When rescuers arrived they shined their flashlight at the girls and shouted, “Swim toward the light, swim toward the light!” They were eventually rescued before going over the falls. This world is dark, the current of worldliness is much too strong, and people don’t know which way to swim. We have an obligation to tell lost people, “Swim toward the light," before they go over the falls into eternity.

LIGHT OF THE...STORAGE CLOSET

(Adapted from Max Lucado)

(Electrical storm, lights flash on and off, eventually stay off. Sherry and Chip are sitting together on the side of the stage)

Chip- I'll go get the candles

Sherry- They are in the hall closet on the middle shelf.

Chip goes up on the stage and bumps into things as he goes, saying "Ow."

Feel around the candles and finds the matches, starts lighting the candles.

Chip- How great it is to have some light. There's enough light here to go in the dining room and on my desk and Sherry can cross-stitch with one of you. (picking up the biggest one and turn to leave)

C#1- Now, hold it right there.

Chip- Okay Sherry, stop kidding (starts to leave)

C#1- Hold it, I said.

Chip- Who said that?

C#1- I did

Chip- (looks around his hand) Who are you?

C#1- I'm a candle.

Chip- (looks real hard at the candle and then looks around for someone)

C#1- There's no one here but you, me, and the rest of the candles.

Chip- (looks real hard and close up to the candle)

C#1- Don't take me out of here!

Chip- What?

C#1- I said, don't take me out of here!

Chip- What do you mean? I have to take you out, you're a candle. Your job is to give light. It's dark out there. People are stubbing their toes and walking into walls. You have to come out and light up the place!

C#1- But you can't take me out. I'm not ready, I need more preparation.

Chip- More preparation?

C#1- Yeah, I've decided I need to research this job of light-giving so I won't go out and make a bunch of mistakes. You'd be surprised how distorted the glow of an untrained candle can be. So I'm doing some studying. I just finished a book on wind resistance. I'm in the middle of a great series of tapes on wick build-up and conservation, and I'm reading the new bestseller on flame display. Have you heard of it?

Chip- No.

C#1- You might like it, It's called Waxing Eloquently.

Chip- That really sounds inter...All right then, you're not the only candle on the shelf. I'll blow you out and take the others. (inhale loudly)

C#3, C#2, C#4- We aren't going either!

Chip- you are candles and your job is to light dark places!!

C#2- (man's voice) Well, that may be what you think. YOU may think we have to go but I'M busy.

Chip- Busy?

C#2- Yes, I'm meditating.

Chip- What? A candle that meditates?

C#2- Yes I'm meditating on the importance of light, it's really enlightening.

Chip- Listen, I appreciate what you guys are doing. I'm all for meditation time. And everyone needs to study and research. But for goodness sake, you guys have been in here for weeks! Haven't you had enough time to get your WICK ON STRAIGHT? And you other two, are you going to stay in here too?

C#3- I'm waiting to get my life together. I'm not stable enough, I lose my temper easily. I guess you could say that I'm a hothead.

C#4- I'd like to help but lighting the darkness is not my gift.

Chip- Not your gift? What do you mean?

C#4- Well, I'm a singer. I sing to other candles to encourage them to burn brighter. ( sings: This little light of mine...)

Chip- Hey!! I don't mind if you sing while you work! In fact, we could use a little music out there! Come on guys. There's plenty of time for this later. We've got a crisis on our hands!!

BUT THEY WOULDN'T GO. THEY ALL SANG WHILE HE BLEW THEM OUT- "Won't let Satan Blow me out...

Back in the dark living room-

Sherry- Where have you been? And where are the candles?

Chip- They don't...they won't work. Where did you buy those candles anyway?

Sherry- Oh, they're church candles. Remember the church that closed down across the town? I bought them there.

Chip- (nods heads) I should have known