“Gentle Faith, Great Results” – Isaiah 42:1-9 – January 13, 2008

A missionary was sailing home on furlough when she heard a cry one night. What she heard was, “Man overboard!” the most difficult cry to hear while at sea. She quickly rose from her berth and lit the lamp on the bracket in her cabin. Then she held the lamp at the window of her cabin in hopes of seeing some sign of life in the dark waters outside. Seeing nothing, she hung the lamp back on its bracket and snuffed out the wick. She returned to her berth and said a prayer for the one who was lost at sea.

In the morning, to her surprise, she learned that the man who had fallen overboard had been rescued. Not only that, she also learned that it was the flash of her lamp through the porthole of her stateroom that helped the crew find the missing man. He had been clinging desperately to a rope that was attached to the ship and the light of her lamp illuminated the side of the ship enough for the crew to see him. The woman’s simple act of shining the lamp through the porthole provided enough light to save a life.

Isaiah told the faith community to be a “light to the nations.” People will turn to God when the faithful do loving deeds toward others. I believe we underestimate our ability to be faithful because we think we have to do spectacular acts to be effective. In recent times there has been a trend for churches to be “mega churches.” Folks are impressed when thousands of people fill gigantic sanctuaries complete with big bands, choreography and charismatic preachers. Even the church has succumbed to the notion that “bigger is better.” Hollywood has conditioned the church to adapt its production, acting and marketing skills in order to attract lost souls.

You have probably noticed that the only television programs on today are reruns. No new episodes are being produced. That’s because those who write television programs are on strike. Those behind the scenes who write the scripts and tell the stories are not working. They are the ones whose names race across the screen at the end of a program, whose names are virtually unknown. And yet, without them the show can’t go on.

Isaiah was saying to his people that without them the community of faith could not continue. The only way for the faith to survive the perilous times was for the faithful to use their individual lamps to light the way. They didn’t have to light the way with hi tech laser lights. They only needed to be a “dimly burning wick.”

That is not to say that we can’t use modern technology to help spread the word of God. I really like my keyless door opener to my car. I especially like the feature that lets me blink the lights when I am trying to locate my car in a dark, crowded parking lot. A simple light helps me to find my way. When others are in darkness, it can just as easily be as simple, one small light that helps someone who is lost to find their way.

At our cottage at Lake St. Mary’s we had a problem with cars driving across the corner of our lot. They kept making huge ruts in the grass. I put several large rocks there to keep people from messing up the yard. Unfortunately, cars kept hitting the rocks and knocking them over. One day I found several pieces from someone’s taillight. My barrier wasn’t protecting the grass, and at the same time it was damaging cars. While shopping one day my wife found a small, solar-powered light that you stick in the ground. We installed it and ever since no one has been making tracks in the yard, nor have we noticed any damaged car parts. That little light is helping people find their way in the dark and at the same time bringing us some peace of mind.

Isaiah also told the Israelites to be tender. “A bruised reed, he will not break.” Isaiah advocated a gentle faith, not one that is forceful or coercive. I am well aware that modern worship needs to be relevant and up to date. Music needs to speak to our souls, messages need to inspire and comfort us, and the whole experience needs to be meaningful. Our church has been slow to adapt to a contemporary style of worship which means some folks will go elsewhere since our services are not greatly entertaining. However, I believe, along with our musicians on staff, that worship also needs to be reverent. There is a need for “sacred” time in the lives of busy, overwhelmed people.

To be faithful is to be tender; coaching, nurturing, teaching, counseling and comforting. Psychology teaches us that a child needs positive reinforcement, not negative reinforcement. Strokes of encouragement and affirmation can have long lasting results.

Mentor Graham was a teacher who taught in Illinois. He was so absorbed in evaluating assignments that he failed to notice the youthful giant who slouched in his classroom one day after school. He recognized the youth as a newcomer to the community. The young man had a reputation for “whipping the daylights” out of local tough guys. Graham was puzzled by the boy’s presence. “What does he want? Am I in danger?” He wondered.

He scanned the six foot four-inch youth with all his muscles and ignorance and offered to help him with his reading. When the young man left the classroom he had several books under his arm, on loan from Graham who promised to give him more in the future. Few people remember Graham. He was a quiet man, simply willing to do his best for any student in his class. His student however became far more famous. His name was Abraham Lincoln. A kind, helping response provided a gentle strength to a young man who needed help.

A little light can help people find their way in the dark. A little tenderness can have a positive affect on a future leader. Isaiah also said that a small, still voice can make a big difference. He said, the faithful “will not cry or lift up their voice or make it heard in the street.” We don’t need to shout. We don’t need to yell or scream to be heard. Our words need to be succinct and articulate, words that communicate faith, hope and love.

We live in a society where we are bombarded with words. Ads, news bites, radio talk shows, and even text messages via cell phones, fill our lives with all kinds of sounds and messages. It’s hard to discern which voices to listen to.

Perhaps a tale from Winnie the Pooh can help. One day, Pooh Bear was about to go for a walk in the Hundred Acre Wood. It was about 11:30 in the morning. It was a fine time to go calling, just before lunch. So Pooh set out across the stream, stepping on stones. When he got to the middle of the stream he sat down and thought about who he should visit. He said to himself, “I think I’ll go see Tigger.” No, he dismissed that idea. Then he said, “I know, I’ll go see Owl.” But then he thought, “No, Owl uses big words, too hard to understand.” At last he brightened up and said, “I know, I’ll go see Rabbit. Rabbit uses encouraging words, like, ‘How about lunch?’ or ‘Help yourself, Pooh.’” So Pooh decided to go see Rabbit.

More than anything people need words of encouragement. Servants of Yahweh are those who speak encouraging words. They give hope and assurance, not criticism or doom. Their words are not angry words, but words that comfort, counsel and inspire.

By letting our lights shine others will be able to find their way out of the darkness. By being tender others will be affirmed and find strength to do great things. And, by using words that encourage, the faithful will survive difficult times.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio