I can remember putting my girls to bed when they were little. I'd always turn their little nightlight on and then shut off the big light. When the light first goes out it's pretty dark and I'd tell my girls, "wait just a minute and your eyes will get used to the dark and you'll be able to see". Sure enough in just a bit, their eyes adjusted and they could see enough to not be afraid.
Are we still getting used to the dark? Has our light that at one time shined so brightly for Jesus become dim? Has it become just a mere nightlight in our souls? Do we even recall when it started happening? When did our power source no longer light us up like it used to do? When did we get used to the dark?
Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that we are the light of the world and we are supposed to let our light shine for men to see!
So if that's the truth, why is the world in darkness? Because our light is not shining. Why is our light not shining and how did we allow that to happen?
It happened because our voices stopped teaching the Word. It happened because our prayers stopped changing hearts. It happened because our hands stopped serving. Our ears quit listening. Our feet stopped going. It happened because of change. God hasn't changed and the Truth hasn't changed. We did.
We have let the darkness of this world take priority over the light of Jesus. Why? Because it's easy. It's easier to stay in the dark, than to turn on the light. Do we like the dark? Do we think that in the dark our deeds are hidden? We must or else we would get up and turn on the light.
We have got to light our lamps again and shine for Jesus. If we don't shine then the darkness will take over. It's not always going to be easy and it's not always going to be convenient. But if we are going to win souls for Christ, we have to show them the light. We can't just tell them, we have to be that example. They have to see it.
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
(John 3:19 - 21)
Oh, Lord let me keep my light shining for You.
Seeking Him,
Beth
Why give Jesus a Birthday Gift?
5 days ago
5 comments:
Beth,
Very well said!
That instead of being that beacon of light for the world we are constantly becoming complacent with the world(too many schedules, programs and not enough of God's word to the lost) and when we come to that point of revelation in our lives that we are not shining the light now we have to "play catch up" in hopes to get ahead again!
You are speaking my heart's cry! Wake up, "bride of Christ", clean your oil lamps and light them!
Thank you, Beth, for exhorting not only me, but others members of the body of Christ!
Miriam
Beautifully said and it echoes the cry of my own heart - not to be timid in my profession but be bold in Christ. Enough of the lukewarm Christianity that changes nothing but to live the honest, audacious truth of a life changed by Christ.
Beth,
You always move me and challenge me to go higher in Christ. Thank you for that. I never want to get comfortable and therefore no longer keep moving toward Him.
Praying for Amber and her husband and your husband, BIL and friend who are in Nicurgara (I know not spelled right =) Please know that your blog is a bright spot in my day.
Love to you friend,
Dawn
We are fighting the battle against darkeness over here. Living in California, well, what can I say? Having four children, we have removed our TV and have evenings now reading and playing games. The light is shining from our home and I pray that our children are learning how to make it shine in theirs when they have children of their own.
Lovely post!
Beth,
You are so right on....RIGHT ON!
I can't help but think of stirring one another, and this one stirs me Miss Beth.
2 Timothy 1:5-7 NIV
I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Fan to flame...breaking out of the box, no longer conforming to THIS world.
Love to you,
Yolanda
Higher Grounds
Post a Comment