Light Maintenance

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.