My kids and I were sitting in the living room working on some decorations for an event. Suddenly my husband came in the room and said, "Watch this," as he turned the light on for us. It was already close to six in the evening. We'd been working a couple of hours, having fun while we worked, and hadn't noticed how dark it had gotten in the room. As soon as he turned the light on, we could see so much better. Everything was clearer.
I couldn't help but think back to the day I was saved. Not only did I immediately feel like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, but I literally felt like I could see more clearly. It was as if God turned the light on and the colors became brighter. I know this doesn't happen to everyone. Everyone has a different experience. This was my visual experience. The grass seemed greener, the sky was a deeper blue, the flowers were brighter. I felt like I was looking through new lenses. And then as I started to read God's word, I also started to see things differently. The circumstances around me, the places I went, the clothing I wore. It hadn't bothered me before if I wore a low cut blouse or a short tight dress. I no longer liked spending my weekends in the clubs drinking and dancing. I'd go and I'd see emptiness all around me. God began to change my heart and what seemed natural to me before, now made me feel uncomfortable. Again, this was my experience. Fortunately, God doesn't deal with all our issues, weaknesses or sins at once. But he had begun a work in me which he promised to continue until completion, until the day I meet Him. The light of the Word, Christ, shines in the darkness of our hearts, gently reasoning with us.
When my husband turned the light on and we could suddenly see so clearly, I couldn't help but also think of how we hadn't even noticed it had gotten dark. None of us had even thought of turning the light on. In the same way darkness is gradual in a room, darkness is gradual in our hearts and minds. As we stay away from the Light of the World, our hearts become darker gradually and before we know it, we're no longer following in His footsteps, seeking His will. Jesus tells us in John 8 that He is the light of the world and whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. So how do we follow Him? How do we follow anyone? By getting to know them. He turns on the light and we follow by staying in His word and seeking His will. And as we do this, we are not only in the light, but the light is in us, and we can then shine His light in the darkness.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
A vessel with many cracks...may His glory shine through my cracks.
My Faith Muscle
I can so easily be swayed by the emotions of my kids and my husband. I can too easily worry about their circumstances or mine. I want to trust in God. When I'm close to my Father, I can more readily lean on His understanding. My faith is strengthened. When I don't read His word to me, His love letter to me, my faith is weakened.
It's been 3 months since I last exercised or even went for a walk. I often feel drained and weak. I have resolved to start drinking more water, eating healthier (more fruits and vegetables), and exercising at least 3 times a week. That means even doing a 15-minute work-out at home or going for a walk. I can feel the difference when I'm not taking care of myself. In just the same way, if I don't feed my soul and my mind with God's word, it's easy to be swayed by fear and doubt.
God has brought my children to a saving knowledge of Him. Why should I worry and why should I fear. Anything that happens to them or any choices they make are not without His knowledge. He loves them and can use everything that enters their life for His glory. That is my ultimate desire, isn't it? That God would be glorified in and through them. So why do I worry that they're hurting, or that they may make a bad choice? If these are things that God will use for His glory, then Lord, may your will be done. An easy life does not make for a strong faith, just like easy weight-lifting does not make for strong muscles. The heartaches and the choices we make in life, good or bad, are ones that can we can use to minister to someone else who may or may not know God and His great love, mercy, grace and power.
God brought my husband and me together. So why worry about our future? We have been through so much together. God has carried us through tough times together. Circumstances that have strengthened us and our bond and tie to each other. I am his beloved and he is my beloved. Every little thing in our marriage is used by God to grow us more into the image of Christ. Nothing is wasted in God's hand. He is molding us. All in His time. I am thankful that my Heavenly Father is gentle and full of mercy and grace. I am thankful that He does not reveal all our sins to us all at once. There is so much that my Father has forgiven me. No one knows my every secret and my every thought and deed like my Father does. And no one loves me and protects me like He does. I want to love like this. I want to pass over and overlook any offense against me. When I rejected him, He pursued me. He has shown Himself faithful to me time and time again. And still my faith waivers. He doesn't quit. He doesn't quit on me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. Lord, I am yours. Do with my life as you please.....just never leave me and never take your Spirit from me.
It's been 3 months since I last exercised or even went for a walk. I often feel drained and weak. I have resolved to start drinking more water, eating healthier (more fruits and vegetables), and exercising at least 3 times a week. That means even doing a 15-minute work-out at home or going for a walk. I can feel the difference when I'm not taking care of myself. In just the same way, if I don't feed my soul and my mind with God's word, it's easy to be swayed by fear and doubt.
God has brought my children to a saving knowledge of Him. Why should I worry and why should I fear. Anything that happens to them or any choices they make are not without His knowledge. He loves them and can use everything that enters their life for His glory. That is my ultimate desire, isn't it? That God would be glorified in and through them. So why do I worry that they're hurting, or that they may make a bad choice? If these are things that God will use for His glory, then Lord, may your will be done. An easy life does not make for a strong faith, just like easy weight-lifting does not make for strong muscles. The heartaches and the choices we make in life, good or bad, are ones that can we can use to minister to someone else who may or may not know God and His great love, mercy, grace and power.
God brought my husband and me together. So why worry about our future? We have been through so much together. God has carried us through tough times together. Circumstances that have strengthened us and our bond and tie to each other. I am his beloved and he is my beloved. Every little thing in our marriage is used by God to grow us more into the image of Christ. Nothing is wasted in God's hand. He is molding us. All in His time. I am thankful that my Heavenly Father is gentle and full of mercy and grace. I am thankful that He does not reveal all our sins to us all at once. There is so much that my Father has forgiven me. No one knows my every secret and my every thought and deed like my Father does. And no one loves me and protects me like He does. I want to love like this. I want to pass over and overlook any offense against me. When I rejected him, He pursued me. He has shown Himself faithful to me time and time again. And still my faith waivers. He doesn't quit. He doesn't quit on me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. Lord, I am yours. Do with my life as you please.....just never leave me and never take your Spirit from me.
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