Red Light Green Light

Remember the childhood playground game Red Light Green Light?

We might not be playing schoolyard games anymore, but we are sending red light, green light messages on a daily basis…

Grumpy face = red light.

Religious attitude = stop, back-up, get out of here.

Judgmental spirit = go away, never come back.

Joyful smile = green light.

Compassionate response = you are welcome here.

Giving grace = keep on coming, there’s always space for you.

Jesus is all about the green light.

When people brought their children to be blessed by Him, the disciples went all “red light” on them.

Jesus, however, said, “Let them come. Don’t stop them!”

He was all “green light” with them.

When blind Bartimaeus was yelling like a madman, trying to get Jesus’ attention, the crowd told him to shut up and go away—they gave him a red light message.

Jesus told Bartimaeus to come. That’s a green light message!

And here’s a pretty famous quote from Jesus: “Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11.28 NLT)

Again, that’s clearly a green light message.

I want to be like Jesus.

I want to be all about the green light.

I want our church to unplug the red light and shine the green light perpetually.

Green light. Come.

Green light. Welcome.

Green light. You belong.

Green light. There will always be grace and space for you here.