by Odie Boggs
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:`16
Thank you to the sweet crew at Pursuing Virtue for asking me to write today. This blog has encouraged me several times, and I am grateful for the work that is being done to encourage us to be virtuous women.
When I think about light, I automatically think of a light that brightens a dark room. One meaning of light is: “A source of illumination, especially an electric lamp.” This is any type of light that we turn on by a switch. Light makes everything better. It is hard to function in darkness. Life seems to come to a screeching stop when there is no light at the flip of a switch.
Light also means: “The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.” This is talking of sunlight. A bright sunny day can change my whole attitude. I love to see the sunshine and feel its warmth. The sun is so refreshing after a cloudy period or a long winter. I feel like I can breathe easier with the sun shining.
As Christians, we are blessed with the Heavenly light from God’s Son, Jesus, in our life. The light from the Son will absolutely change a life. The storms of life can surround us and cloud our vision. Sometimes it is easy to lose our focus of the Son. I wish I could easily flip the switch and clear life’s sky, but the rain and storms still surround me. Then I see a glimmer of light, and my strength is renewed. I can hang on a little longer! Finally, I break through the clouds, and the Son’s light brightens my life. It changes my perspective of my troubles.
You may be surrounded by darkness this very moment. The circumstances of life are drowning you. In circumstances like these, it is easy to wonder, where did this sudden darkness come from? Just a few days ago, you were walking in the light, and the pathway in front of you seemed so clear. Questions and problems are blocking your view of Jesus - the true light. In the darkness, doubt tries to move in. Give doubt an eviction notice today! I heard someone say on a podcast the other day, “ Don’t doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.”
This season of darkness will pass. Morning is coming!
The light of the Son in a Christian’s life does not make all of our trouble magically disappear, but it can lead us on our path and show us the next step. This light is a form of hope that “Sonshine” is coming. We cannot let the problems of life stop us from moving forward. My Dad often says he would like for God to shine a spotlight on the future. He wants to see what is happening ahead. However, we are only promised, in the Bible, light for our next step. We must take life one step at a time.
Psalms 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Not only do we need light for our individual lives, but we can be a beacon of light to others. I guess we could be called a life-size flashlight shining God’s light to others around. I want my light to shine in our dark world brightly.
Everywhere around us, people are searching for hope. They are wandering around aimlessly trying to fill the void in their hearts. In the darkness, they stumble down the wrong path. It is heartbreaking to see the mess sin can make in one life. The answer people need is God! We can point them to Him by shining our lights. It easy to get busy living our lives and forget others are watching us.
Several years ago, I was traveling in a new city and was at Walmart with my Mom. This particular day, we decided to divide and conquer to get everything accomplished.
I was struggling that day to reach what I needed, holding my things in my lap, and wheeling through a crowded store in my wheelchair. I remember thinking I am glad no one knows me here. It was a stressful few moments, but I was purposed not to let my struggles be visible on my face. We survived Wal-Mart and went on with life.
Later in that week, I rolled up to a restaurant counter to order, and the cashier said, “I have seen you before. You were rolling thru Walmart with a smile on your face.” Oh, I was so happy that I had not let my struggles be shown on my face! Someone that I did not know was watching me. It was a reminder to me that my life is a way for others to see the light.
Recently I was in a familiar city, and I wheeled into a restaurant with my parents and friends. We were laughing and having a good time fellowshipping. The hostess warmly greeted me, and I was trying to figure out if I should know her, but I realized that I had not met her before that night. She made sure my needs were well cared for during the meal. Later she came to me and said, “Thank you for coming in tonight. You brightened my night and I needed that.”
I was already working on writing about this topic. This chance incident was another reminder that my interaction with people matters. I may never see either lady again, but I try to pray for them. I truly want them to find the light.
I have shared just two times that I have had personal reminders that I am being watched. Oh, I shudder to think about the times my grumpiness has shown through. Sometimes I want to say it is a bad day, and I do not care what others think.
But my bad moods are not going to reflect God to those watching me.
Lord, please forgive me for my neglect of your light!
We can be a flicker of light pointing in the right direction. It may happen when we least expect it. We can bring glory to God by letting His light shine through us! Sometimes we say "I work for the Lord at church," and what a wonderful thing for us to do. Just remember we can also work for God by living a committed Christian life.
Odie
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