September 25, 2014
Letting Your Light Shine
For many years I’ve
interviewed members of the church and written their stories of faith for a newsletter.
With many people it was like pulling teeth to get the interviews. Even when I
assured them they would have final approval over the story and that I wouldn’t
write anything they didn’t want me to write, they remained hesitant. In fact
two people, after they had given their approval to the finished story, changed
their mind at the last minute and decided against having it published. I’m now writing a series of leadership articles for a local online
publication and I have yet to have anyone turn me down for an interview. I’m
bewildered by the difference in responses. Those in the world are excited to
share their strengths, weaknesses and successes; but sadly, people of faith often
fail to take advantage of opportunities to share their testimony. Jesus said, “Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its
stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the
same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:15-16 NIV).
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1 comment:
Gail;
-----When it comes to why certain types of people do what they do (or don‘t do what they don‘t do,) you may as well make a list of all the reasons you can possibly think up, and then know that the actual reasons are those plus all of the rest you couldn’t think of. Individuals span the rainbow of all characteristics. This makes it very convenient to pick reasons which portray any loosely categorized group of individuals in any light we tend to think about them the most, and then stick those reasons onto the group like we’re labeling a disease. We don’t as often pick the other reasons and stick them on like duct tape, that is, for repair and maintenance of the group’s reputation, unless we‘re talking about the category of people like ourselves. It’s funny how that works.
-----But there is a valid generality about the whole affair. I would presume you are approaching leader-type people if you are writing leadership articles. One of the first things you must note about leader-type people is that they have the confidence of some followers. That makes enough sense to have gone without stating. But there is an important element of this simple relationship to note. Followers must at least somewhat know the leader before they invest enough of their confidence to follow. Leader-types know this and are at least naturally open about who they are, or about who they aren’t which they’re portraying themselves to be. Moreover, many are aggressive about such. Self portrayal is important for being leaders. So, I would expect leader-types to make themselves very available for you interviews.
------Followers are more private. Often that is the only reason they are followers; they usually have far better ideas than leaders from investing more attention into actually engaging situations than into making themselves look like they‘ve been engaging situations. I would expect followers to shy away from interviews. It better fits their nature.
-----But, at the end of the day, individuals are yet individuals, and any conclusions drawn about them must remain loose and general.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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