Uncover the Light by Lisa Burkhardt Worley
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
A wise Bible study teacher once said, “Our eyes are adjusting to the darkness.”
Shows and movies we once shied away from because of the content, we are now watching on re-runs or supporting at the box office, because they’re still better than some of the other offerings.
The light is flickering. Our standards are lowering.
The good news is it’s not too late to uncover the light. We can change the culture by changing the media we support.
I just heard a fabulous speaker at the Christian Women in Media National Conference, Ted Baehr. Baehr is the Founder and Publisher of Movieguide and Chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission. He told us that by the time a child is 17 years old, he or she has spent 60,000 hours engaged in some form of media.
That’s a lot of darkness and it’s influential.
Baehr notes 90 percent of all children abandon the faith of their parents, with a small percentage coming back when they have their own children.
Are the two connected? Do the movies and television shows our kids watch affect their relationship with God?
When we allow media to raise our kids, it has to have a direct impact.
How do we change the trend? What can we do? How can we bring the light back so bright that we have to wear our sunglasses?
If we’re writers, we can start writing quality Christian themed screenplays. Baehr says, “Hollywood needs you.” However, comedies are in the most demand, and it’s not easy to write funny material. But we have to try. We have to pray for inspiration from the Lord. We have to write and re-write. It’s worth the time to bring the light back into our children’s eyes.
If writing is not your expertise, then make it a point to support Christian movies over the less tasteful choices. There are two Christian-themed movies coming out over the next month, Heaven is for Real, opening April 16 and Momma’s Day Out starring Patricia Heaton, opening May 9. God’s Not Dead is still in the theatres and the reviews are fantastic.
What are you called to do? Taking a stand for quality programming, both on television and in the movies, is one way to shine your light. Are you ready to make a difference?
It’s time to turn the brightness up on the screen.
Lights. Camera. ACTION!