Reflect the Light of the Lord

The world does not know us, because it did not know him. 1 John 3:1b 

Roughly a third of my life was a life of being a child of the world. I did not really know the God of grace. I did not really know how bankrupt my soul was. I did not really know true peace or comfort. I only knew the pleasure of the here and now. Nor could I really understand the loving efforts of my Christian friends. They would share Christ with me, but I did not really see the need for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords in my life. I appreciated their concern for me, but I did not appreciate the grace and mercy of the God they preached. 

You see, the world does not know us. Some see us as an annoyance because we continually want to help them see the wonders of our God. Some see us as insignificant because we work by sharing mere words. And some see us as a threat because we preach a law that calls upon them to give up their selfish and self-destructive ways. The world does not know the genuine sincerity and mercy with which we preach. The world does not know that love often comes in the form of a warning. But we should not be surprised. 

You see, the world also does not know our Savior. At best, Jesus is to the world a teacher among a myriad of other philosophical teachers from both western and eastern antiquity. The people of this world feel free to accept or deny His words. If they agree with His words or can warp them for their own purposes, the unbeliever is willing to accept them. If His words ask them to discipline themselves or turn from their evil, then they are ready to deny them and rage against them. Failing to see their need for a divine savior, the people of this world also fail to understand His mercy and grace come through repentance. The world does not know Him. 

For a world of people that ignore us, ridicule us, and downright hate us; it can be natural for us to go our own way, to avoid the people of this world, to allow them to simply continue on their Hell-bound path. But that is not our commission. That is not the role we are to play as Christ’s ambassadors. No, we are to work while it is day. We are to tell the people of the world the praiseworthy deeds of our Lord. We are to reflect the light of the Lord upon their path to lead them to the narrow way. We are to help them to know the Lord. 

As the Holy Spirit works faith in their hearts, they will finally come to know us. They will finally see the love of God in Christ Jesus was the joy that we wanted for them all along. May the Spirit bless the work of our mouths as we proclaim the Good News. 

Frank Van Brocklin 

Principal Teacher Immanuel Lutheran School 

News from Immanuel Lutheran School: 

❖ I had a wonderful opportunity to speak with Stephen Kamps at the Wisconsin State Teachers’ Conference on Friday, October 27. The meeting went well with all of the right questions asked and answered. Continue to keep Stephen and Rachel in your prayers as they deliberate on the calls extended to them to serve us as principal and ECM director.

❖ Our next ILSA meeting is Wednesday, November 1, at 6 PM in the Conference Room (former library). 

❖ The conference itself was well worth our attendance. The keynote speakers provided insights into retaining joy and resiliency in our ministries. Our breakout sessions targeted specific areas of instruction for our teachers and of administration for our principal. 

❖ Student-led parent-student-teacher conferences will be held on November 6 and November 9.