By: John Visintainer

I don’t recall the specifics, but I was somewhere with my dad when I accidentally cut my finger. A moment later, he pulled a band-aid out of his wallet and covered the wound.  I was appreciative of the quick remedy and even more impressed by his foresight, so I copied the practice. Since then, I’ve enjoyed the feeling of almost performing a magic trick when I quickly produce the antidote for a sudden bruise or cut; and it just took placing a few band-aids in my wallet.

1 Peter 3:15 says, in part, “Always be prepared…”  As Christians, and especially in this season of asking the Lord how we are to answer the call to be a Lighthouse, there are practical aids we can apply. One easy practice that Tod Densmore’s excellent craftsmanship has provided is the small wooden “Alleluia” crosses he has made for each Alleluia member “…to give answer to anyone who asks the reason for the hope that you have.”  Making the habit of wearing a cross or displaying an Alleluia bumper sticker or, as Ed Hatfield does to this day, saying “Jesus loves you!” when answering the phone, can be radical, but also very concrete ways to provide opportunities to invite a little more Jesus into your, and in turn others’, daily routine. Peter goes on to say, “But do this with gentleness and respect.”  And so, I gently remind myself to consider placing that bumper sticker, to speak more blessings, and I respectfully ask: have you bought your Alleluia cross yet? Tod has inventory!*

The point is not to lay a guilt trip, but to pave opportunities to shine the light of Jesus in a world that needs it. “No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it under a bushel basket…let your light shine before others.” Matt 5:15,16. This requires a bit of courage for the timid, a lot of humility for the proud, and role models to show the way.  I remember getting ready for grade school one day and there was a knock at the door.  When opened, a man was standing there and asked what the large wooden cross in our front yard meant. To my discomfort, my dad answered: “Because I love Jesus and Jesus loves me!”  “Praise God!” the man replied, and he shook my dad’s hand. I immediately felt admiration for my dad’s boldness, and the conviction that regardless how the man responded, my dad’s answer was the right one.

Fast forward many years later. I wanted to bring a bit of Jesus into my workplace. I had a small dark metal cross and was able to find a nice shady spot under my desk cabinet to hang it.  Despite my best efforts, it was discovered that day, and no sooner a co-worker complained, “You wouldn’t want someone to put up a satanic symbol, would you?!”  Instead of the fear and embarrassment I expected to feel, a surge of peace and boldness filled me as I gave answer to the love the cross represents and immediately moved it to a high open spot on my wall.  I experienced the reality of the power of the Holy Spirit, and the memory reminds me to continually trust in the Lord, to advance my witness, and to follow all that Jesus says and calls us to do, not through guilt, shame or fear of man, “But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord.”  1 Peter 3:15.