We blindfolded all students, and had them stand apart from each other, randomly, in a big room. In this room there was many balloons (2 different colors), and one color was trying to make it to one side of the room, while the other color was trying to make it to the opposite side of the room (directly opposite; kinda like football). And there were no Lone Rangers. You could not move, and you had to get the balloon ALL the way over to the other side. It was impossible to get the balloon there in your own ability. You had to work together with others to pass it along as it needed to go.
Now, the students could not see (1) what color balloon they had, and (2) who they had to throw the balloon to in order for the balloon to get to its appropriate side. The blind-folded students had to rely on the verbal instructions of a leader.
[Example: "Chris, Melanie is going to be throwing the balloon about 4 feet right in front of her. She is throwing this balloon so you can catch it....Oh! Oops! Chris, the balloon did not make it to you.. it is now under the table that is to your right... you need to get the balloon that is now under the table... What? you can't see where the table stops and where it starts? I know. I will direct you... now, take one step forward... reach your hands out, and lower them about a foot... the balloon is right there... oops, you bumped the balloon and sent it moving to the right.... yea, balloons can do that really easy. Try again. Good, now you have it! Turn around. Now you need to throw it to Joe. No, your not facing Joe... pivot right..no.. now more left, etc."]
Not only did they have to listen closely to their leader, but they also had to do a lot of cooperation (it was long, in some instances), and they also had to practice forgiveness, understanding and graciousness (Example: Chris could say, "Melanie, it is okay you didn't get the balloon to me, and instead got it under the table. I understand you could not see exactly where I was and exactly what you were doing, just like I could not see exactly where I was and exactly what I was supposed to be doing, either. I didn't get it exactly to Joe, either.")
We related this activity primarily with (1) forgiveness, and (2) listening and focusing on God and his instructions for us. Of most importance, we appreciated how everyone was blindfolded in this activity, and had to rely on listening and following direction. This is quite similar to how we are to (a) not walk by sight, but instead (b) walk by faith in Jesus Christ through being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will help us go where we need to go. If you read Matthew 4:16, it says:
People sitting out their lives in the dark
saw a huge light;
Sitting in that dark, dark country of death,
they watched the sun come up.
[Message translation]
This verse was talking about how Jesus is our light in the darkness, and how (1) we can see Jesus in comparison to our dark self-filled life, and (2) as we sat in our sin (before becoming Christian) we watched as Jesus brought light into OUR world.
How do we see the sun come up froom the darkness? We have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We meet Jesus, and allow him to come in and take over our life. He is the true light of this world. Apart from him our life would be in darkness.
So how do we know more about this light, and grow more in the light of Jesus Christ and grow out of the darkess? How can we have light to see out of our darkness? How will we know what to do, just as my students knew what to do with their balloons?
We listen to God and read his Word. We follow what he tells us to do. Psalms 119: 105 says:
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
I pray you will be encouraged to keep walking according to faith and not by sight. Know that Jesus is your light. Read his Word, so you might have a lamp unto your feet and a light upon your path. Know that the Holy Spirit is there to help and empower you. You can trust him for this time in your life!
Also, know that your walk will be a reflection to others... to the 4,800 unchurched in Grandview. Know that as you do your best, you can trust God to do the rest in this department. A city on a hill can not be hidden. A light can not be hidden in the darkness. The flame will glow and shine.
Have a Christ-filled, Holy Spirit-empowered, and Word-included day!
Cheers!
|| posted by holly @ 3:47 PM
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