A Light-Filled Fall
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”—Matthew 5:14–16
As followers of Christ, there is no off-season when it comes to evangelism. We’re called to be the light of the world, pointing those around us to their loving creator and savior. There are times throughout the year, however, which provide distinct opportunities to intentionally engage in evangelism and leverage those opportunities for the furtherance of the gospel. It seems that the fall season provides at least a couple such opportunities.
For many of us, the fall brings with it a return to schedule and routine. During summer break, normal routines are out the window, replaced by vacations, days in the sun relaxing, and in general a less programmed life. With the onset of fall, normal obligations tend to ramp up and most people settle into their daily, weekly, and monthly rhythms. This tendency creates a great opportunity to invite people in your life to enter into spiritual engagement as they establish their rhythms. Inviting others to study and investigate the Bible together on a regular basis is one idea. Asking someone to consistently get together to dive into the most common objections to faith in Christ is another. Or maybe you could periodically invite a neighbor or two over for dinners and thoughtfully sprinkle in spiritual questions in order to begin planting seeds for later harvest.
The fall calendar itself assists in providing monthly opportunities to engage. In October, we have Halloween, November brings Thanksgiving, and of course December is dedicated to Christmas. Each one of these holidays is ripe for spiritual discussion. With a bit of forethought, we can easily infuse spiritual questions into our conversations with others. Ask questions and be prepared to pivot into sharing truths about your faith. Ask about what someone thinks of ghosts, the spiritual realm, or the afterlife, which are very much a part of Halloween. In November, when we culturally set aside designated time to be thankful, dig into it winsomely with someone. To whom are you thankful? What does it mean to be thankful to God who knows us rather than to the universe or some impersonal, greater being? And Christmas gives us a great platform to tell the story of our servant Lord, who came to earth in incredible humility. Maybe you could plan an event around one of those holidays to create a space to engage with others in spiritual conversation.
When many of us are settling into a more normal routine, is there margin for you to include in your routine some intentional evangelism this season? As you look forward to the upcoming holidays, are there ways you can begin planning to engage with some neighbors, co-workers, family, or friends? Start with prayer and ask the Lord to help you see ways to do this. As people come to mind and plans take shape, soak all of it in prayer. Perhaps the Lord would use this fall to bring someone you know and care about into a saving knowledge of his truth and simultaneously build up your faith and joy! Know that we as elders are praying this for you as well. If we can help you think through how to do this, assist as you make plans, or pray with you more specifically as you engage with others, please let us know!
Let’s remember this fall that, in Christ, we provide a wonderful light, and let us endeavor to shine our light brightly for the Lord.