LIGHT
1 John 1:5-7
John 1:5-11
1 John 1:5-7
John 1:5-11
Isn't light a wonderful thing! Light has been vital since the beginning. It determines our ability to work and move about. We need it to cook, clean, drive, work, play, etc. Without light we would simply be in darkness, not able to do anything efficiently. We all could agree that we would simply stumble around without light.
But what about the gray? A little light, a little dark. Gray days affect my moods--lethargic, melancholy. It seems I know what to do when I have light (I live life) and when it is dark (go to bed), but what do I do in the gray day? If I lit a candle in darkness, I would be able to see it clearly because it would be the only light. If I lit a candle in a day of gray, it wouldn't show up much because there is just enough light already there to keep it simply a dim light.
As I have been studying the passages of Light in the Bible, light is such a perfect picture of Jesus. He is the Light of the World! He brings clarity, warmth, and life to us---amazing! We are to "walk in the light as he is in the light." In my life I meet people who are living in the Light and those living in the darkness. I know what to do/how to respond with both types of people, but what about those living somewhere in the middle? Those people who are not living the abundant life Christ promised; they live with spiritual mediocrity. Spiritual mediocrity is a life of spiritual confusion and disappointment. How do we help those living an undeveloped Christian life?
At one time my life was full of gray. It seemed that all the promises of the Christian life were not a reality in my life; therefore, I made the assumption that the promises were not true. I began questioning many things, compromising my standards, and living to please myself. Needless to say, my relationship with the Lord barely existed on my end. It wasn't until I was challenged by my father that my life began a new turn.
On New Year's Eve (1999), surrounded by my parents and sister, I asked my dad what he desired for this new year. He simply said, "I want my family to read the Bible everyday." My dad had recently had been rushed to the hospital for heart problems. During the stay in the hospital I understood the value of time with him. With that said, his challenge to me held great weight. From that point forward I have been reading my Bible. As I read, Jesus became real! It started out gradual, but as time (years) have gone on, I have seen the greatness of our God. His promises are true and I am living a life in Him I never would have known existed had I not been challenged to simply read.
On a gray day, it will take a strong light to actually be noticed. In a gray life, it will take a strong challenge to get your attention. Be ready to take a step to Jesus so you can see for yourself just how true his promises can be in your life. Just because you haven't experienced the awesome-ness of God doesn't mean He isn't awesome! Take the steps necessary to get to know the God who created you and the God who desires to redeem your life!!
But what about the gray? A little light, a little dark. Gray days affect my moods--lethargic, melancholy. It seems I know what to do when I have light (I live life) and when it is dark (go to bed), but what do I do in the gray day? If I lit a candle in darkness, I would be able to see it clearly because it would be the only light. If I lit a candle in a day of gray, it wouldn't show up much because there is just enough light already there to keep it simply a dim light.
As I have been studying the passages of Light in the Bible, light is such a perfect picture of Jesus. He is the Light of the World! He brings clarity, warmth, and life to us---amazing! We are to "walk in the light as he is in the light." In my life I meet people who are living in the Light and those living in the darkness. I know what to do/how to respond with both types of people, but what about those living somewhere in the middle? Those people who are not living the abundant life Christ promised; they live with spiritual mediocrity. Spiritual mediocrity is a life of spiritual confusion and disappointment. How do we help those living an undeveloped Christian life?
At one time my life was full of gray. It seemed that all the promises of the Christian life were not a reality in my life; therefore, I made the assumption that the promises were not true. I began questioning many things, compromising my standards, and living to please myself. Needless to say, my relationship with the Lord barely existed on my end. It wasn't until I was challenged by my father that my life began a new turn.
On New Year's Eve (1999), surrounded by my parents and sister, I asked my dad what he desired for this new year. He simply said, "I want my family to read the Bible everyday." My dad had recently had been rushed to the hospital for heart problems. During the stay in the hospital I understood the value of time with him. With that said, his challenge to me held great weight. From that point forward I have been reading my Bible. As I read, Jesus became real! It started out gradual, but as time (years) have gone on, I have seen the greatness of our God. His promises are true and I am living a life in Him I never would have known existed had I not been challenged to simply read.
On a gray day, it will take a strong light to actually be noticed. In a gray life, it will take a strong challenge to get your attention. Be ready to take a step to Jesus so you can see for yourself just how true his promises can be in your life. Just because you haven't experienced the awesome-ness of God doesn't mean He isn't awesome! Take the steps necessary to get to know the God who created you and the God who desires to redeem your life!!
