As I mentioned in my previous post, I believe we are called to be a light to this lost and hurting world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, our light WILL drive out darkness. But just as light bulbs must be replaced we too must be maintained.....
I would guess that almost all Christians who truly live for God, who truly desire to be His vessel have experienced burnout. Just like a light bulb. Why does this happen? I think the reasons are many so I'll share just a few of my own:
1) Balance unmet - A tell-tale sign that my life is out of balance is when my house is a wreck. That means I'm not spending enough time at home or when I am there I'm too exhausted to do any 'wreck remediation'. But, when my life is balanced, when work, study, sleep, eating, physical excerise, and play are in sync...my house is in order because my life is in order. And through this, my light shines.
2) Time unspent - When I don't spend regular, DAILY, time with my Heavenly Father, my light is dim, if on at all. But when I meet with Him early in the morning, at lunch, in the evening His love undeniable fills me up. His grace and mercy pour over me. I am so submersed in who He is that I have no option but to shine with His love, to shine in the darkness. And through this, my light shines.
3) Heart Unbroken - While it may sound odd that I desire for my Jesus to break my heart, I do. I desire it to be broken of the love of things of this world, the desires of my flesh, the wants of things that are not in line with His awesome plan for my life. I desire God to break my heart and because I'm stubborn, He must do this often. But,during these heartbreak moments I learn. His grace and mercy are patient to teach me. My heart begins to yearn for what His heart yearns for and begins to break at what His heart breaks. And through this, my light shines.
4) Eyes Unopened - When my eyes are closed to the world around me, I live in my own bubble. I serve my own needs. I look out for myself. But when I seek God and ask Him to open my eyes I can see. I see the hurting of those around me. I see the meaning of the look. I see the needs and ways to help them. When I ask, I see the way my Father sees. And through this, my light shines.
So my prayer for us all is that our lights will shine and through that we will reflect our Father's love undeniable.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Light v. Darkness
So here's a simple experiment. Turn on a light in a dark room. What happens? The darkness leaves. Now turn off the light. What happens? The darkness returns.
Results: Darkness leaves when light is on, darkness does not return until light is turned off.
Application: We are the light. We as believers of our Lord Jesus Christ are lights, for He is a light and He is within us.
So if we are the lights then we have the power, the Holy Spirit, within us to spread into darkness. And more importantly, we not only have the power to spread into darkness but we have the power to OVERTAKE darkness.
Do we realize this power? Do we recognize it? Do we trust it? Do we walk in it? Do we accept that it's a responsibility not just an option?
Our Father has given us so much. His love undeniable is evident in what Jesus did on the cross. But do we make that love clear to those around us? Do we show them His love in simple ways?
In these turmultuous times, people say that darkness is spreading. As proven in the experiment, darkness only spreads when lights are turned off. We as a people, as followers of Jesus, as a CHURCH must turn our lights on, high and mighty, and spread Christ's love to those around us. Only then will darkness subside and light prevail.
Results: Darkness leaves when light is on, darkness does not return until light is turned off.
Application: We are the light. We as believers of our Lord Jesus Christ are lights, for He is a light and He is within us.
So if we are the lights then we have the power, the Holy Spirit, within us to spread into darkness. And more importantly, we not only have the power to spread into darkness but we have the power to OVERTAKE darkness.
Do we realize this power? Do we recognize it? Do we trust it? Do we walk in it? Do we accept that it's a responsibility not just an option?
Our Father has given us so much. His love undeniable is evident in what Jesus did on the cross. But do we make that love clear to those around us? Do we show them His love in simple ways?
In these turmultuous times, people say that darkness is spreading. As proven in the experiment, darkness only spreads when lights are turned off. We as a people, as followers of Jesus, as a CHURCH must turn our lights on, high and mighty, and spread Christ's love to those around us. Only then will darkness subside and light prevail.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Day!
As I gathered at my polling place this morning, just minutes after the doors opened, I was amazed at the number of people already there. As I listened to news reports throughout the day I was amazed at how long people waited. People who honk when you pause one second too long to go on green. People who bounce from line to line in hopes of moving through quickest. People who can't survive without instant gratification, instant communication, and instant results. But there they were....waiting. Waiting to cast their vote, waiting to contribute, waiting to impact history.
To me, that's a seed of hope, a hope that people do care. Yes their cares may be different than they were in the past, but they still care. I pray that our God, with His love undeniable, hears those cares. I pray that we as His people seek Him and that our cares will align with His.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive thier sin and will heal their land." 2nd Chronicles 7:14
To me, that's a seed of hope, a hope that people do care. Yes their cares may be different than they were in the past, but they still care. I pray that our God, with His love undeniable, hears those cares. I pray that we as His people seek Him and that our cares will align with His.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive thier sin and will heal their land." 2nd Chronicles 7:14
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)