Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.
In my town of Apopka, FL, we have several street lights that are patrolled by camera. The camera's eye will catch you if you run a red light, and you will receive a ticket with a hefty fine in the mail. It has proved to keep most drivers alert to the changing of the lights. I like to catch a glimpse of the countdown clock in the crosswalk to see if the light is soon to change. It helps me judge my chances of catching a green light.
The knowledge of which lights have cameras, and the tricks I use to judge the safe passage through the intersection are my lamp and light. Without the lamp I might not be alert and without the light I might not judge wisely. If I fail to heed the law and instruction I will be disciplined with a ticket. Life is lived on the road of discipline. My actions will determine my corrections or rewards.
It is my responsibility to guide my car along the road safely. I cannot ignore the commandments nor forget the teaching I have received. I need to plan ahead and keep alert. There is wisdom in the light!
Holy God, You are the giver of the law. You have put the commandments in place for our safety and the way to live a good life. I do mess up sometimes and speed along the road of life being distracted from what I should be doing. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank You for making discipline a part of life. It is a good thing. Though it may be uncomfortable for awhile, I know Your Father's heart is full of love and wisdom. Keep me on the right road, Lord!
Showing posts with label light. Show all posts
Showing posts with label light. Show all posts
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Secret
Do you want to know a secret? I will tell you if you promise to not tell anyone else!
Nobody is perfect!
The funny thing is that not many of us are eager to let anyone else know this secret that really isn't a secret! We go to church, work, or even family gatherings and pretend. We put on a mask of being better than we really are. I know, for me, my mask includes not sharing my honest self with others at times. I withhold my opinions and my ideas, for fear that I might be rejected or thought strange. Since everyone else is doing the same thing it really isn't a secret, it is just a poor disguise of a secret.
People are very good at pretending that we are not afraid of what others think. We are very willing to say what we think others think we should say, or act as if we agree with others when we really don't.
What would the world be like if we let the secret out about ourselves? Would we feel free, or would we feel afraid of the quizzical looks and misunderstandings that would follow? I've tried it and I feel both. I feel free that I am being my real self, but when others stay hidden behind their masks I feel vulnerable and afraid. Sometimes I worry, that if people saw me for what I really am, they would not like what they see. It makes me want to hide again and it takes a bit of prodding to come out from behind my mask again.
I guess God really is the only Truth. He tells us outright that all have sinned and come up short. He not only reveals Himself in scripture but He reveals our true selves also. We must unmask ourselves before Him alone. Until we do there is no good that can come from revealing our secrets before men.
Holy Father, You see all things. The darkness is not a place where I can hide from You. It is only a place where my fears and insecurities breed. You are the God of Truth and Light! You do not hide Yourself from those who seek You. I need to come to You often during my day letting Your truth and light shine on me. I need You to reveal my secrets so that I may never be afraid to let my secrets be known to the world. Thank You for fixing Your all-seeing eye on me. Thank You for opening my eyes to know You. Take my mask. It is useless before You.
Nobody is perfect!
The funny thing is that not many of us are eager to let anyone else know this secret that really isn't a secret! We go to church, work, or even family gatherings and pretend. We put on a mask of being better than we really are. I know, for me, my mask includes not sharing my honest self with others at times. I withhold my opinions and my ideas, for fear that I might be rejected or thought strange. Since everyone else is doing the same thing it really isn't a secret, it is just a poor disguise of a secret.
People are very good at pretending that we are not afraid of what others think. We are very willing to say what we think others think we should say, or act as if we agree with others when we really don't.
What would the world be like if we let the secret out about ourselves? Would we feel free, or would we feel afraid of the quizzical looks and misunderstandings that would follow? I've tried it and I feel both. I feel free that I am being my real self, but when others stay hidden behind their masks I feel vulnerable and afraid. Sometimes I worry, that if people saw me for what I really am, they would not like what they see. It makes me want to hide again and it takes a bit of prodding to come out from behind my mask again.
I guess God really is the only Truth. He tells us outright that all have sinned and come up short. He not only reveals Himself in scripture but He reveals our true selves also. We must unmask ourselves before Him alone. Until we do there is no good that can come from revealing our secrets before men.
Holy Father, You see all things. The darkness is not a place where I can hide from You. It is only a place where my fears and insecurities breed. You are the God of Truth and Light! You do not hide Yourself from those who seek You. I need to come to You often during my day letting Your truth and light shine on me. I need You to reveal my secrets so that I may never be afraid to let my secrets be known to the world. Thank You for fixing Your all-seeing eye on me. Thank You for opening my eyes to know You. Take my mask. It is useless before You.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscopes present beautiful and amazing art from bits and pieces of varying sizes and shapes that are jumbled together. The beauty is revealed, not in the friction of the many pieces, but in the light that shines through them reflected by mirrors into the eye. In the same way people display Gods beauty when His light shines through us, even if we might rub each other the wrong way sometimes.
I do not always like the things my beloved husband of nearly 37 years does or says. He does rub me the wrong way sometimes. My little Dollar Store kaleidoscope reminds me to turn toward the light in those times. If I turn to Jesus, the irritations are seen in a new light and I can see the beauty of our marriage.
The light of Jesus reveals the truth. -Love covers a multitude of sins. -It is wise to hear both sides of an argument. -God created us male and female to compliment one another not to war against each other. -We are not joined together as man and wife to conquer each other, but to let God's light shine through us.
The same is true for any group to which we belong. Our family, church, work, and volunteer places all present opportunities for us as Christians to turn to the light, let it shine through us, and allow the light to make something beautiful.
The question I ask myself today is where am I to bring the light? Am I willing to turn away from the dark so that beauty and His glory will been seen?
God of wonder, You are The Light of the World! You are the maker of the kaleidoscope of my world. You are the light that makes even the wrong things in my life to turn into good. I am unable to see the good in others without You! I cannot even see good in myself without Your loving light revealing Your presence in me. Thank You, Father God, for choosing me as Your child and the sparkle in Your eye! You are so gracious and merciful to me. I pray that I might see Your light and turn to it in every circumstance! Make me a part of Your beautiful artwork today!
I do not always like the things my beloved husband of nearly 37 years does or says. He does rub me the wrong way sometimes. My little Dollar Store kaleidoscope reminds me to turn toward the light in those times. If I turn to Jesus, the irritations are seen in a new light and I can see the beauty of our marriage.
The light of Jesus reveals the truth. -Love covers a multitude of sins. -It is wise to hear both sides of an argument. -God created us male and female to compliment one another not to war against each other. -We are not joined together as man and wife to conquer each other, but to let God's light shine through us.
The same is true for any group to which we belong. Our family, church, work, and volunteer places all present opportunities for us as Christians to turn to the light, let it shine through us, and allow the light to make something beautiful.
The question I ask myself today is where am I to bring the light? Am I willing to turn away from the dark so that beauty and His glory will been seen?
God of wonder, You are The Light of the World! You are the maker of the kaleidoscope of my world. You are the light that makes even the wrong things in my life to turn into good. I am unable to see the good in others without You! I cannot even see good in myself without Your loving light revealing Your presence in me. Thank You, Father God, for choosing me as Your child and the sparkle in Your eye! You are so gracious and merciful to me. I pray that I might see Your light and turn to it in every circumstance! Make me a part of Your beautiful artwork today!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Quote
A friend suggested I share this quote here. It gives me much to contemplate. I will read it over and over seeking to hear God's voice as to what truth lies within these words. I will embrace the truth a turn away from that which is not in line with God's Word. I pray you do the same!
"Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-- Quoted by Nelson Mandela, In the book A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Shining Lights
The world is full of darkness. There are wars, rumors of wars. We are in the midst of so much evil perpetrated on the innocent. The earth groans with eruptions, quakes, firestorms, and floods. In the middle of it all God wants us, His children, to shine like stars!
I love to look up into the night sky and see the brilliance of the stars against the dark and seemingly endless sky. The stars are the place where our eyes rest. They bring light to the shadows and chase away the overwhelming cover of night. How can we be like the stars?
To be like the stars, to be the light the world needs in these dark times, we must do what we need to do without grumbling or questioning. Our light comes from obedience to our Father in Heaven, the obedience that is wholehearted and does not complain.
Right now, for me, that obedience is to let go unbegrudgingly. Letting go of things close to my heart that must be let loose so that I can do what God has said for me to do. tough assignment, but I already feel the light shine through me and lift me up.
Lord, God, Maker of the stars and the heavens, I join with Your creation in being a light for the dark world. It is Your light that shines through me! It is You who lifts me up! You are the fulfillment of my destiny!
I love to look up into the night sky and see the brilliance of the stars against the dark and seemingly endless sky. The stars are the place where our eyes rest. They bring light to the shadows and chase away the overwhelming cover of night. How can we be like the stars?
To be like the stars, to be the light the world needs in these dark times, we must do what we need to do without grumbling or questioning. Our light comes from obedience to our Father in Heaven, the obedience that is wholehearted and does not complain.
Right now, for me, that obedience is to let go unbegrudgingly. Letting go of things close to my heart that must be let loose so that I can do what God has said for me to do. tough assignment, but I already feel the light shine through me and lift me up.
Lord, God, Maker of the stars and the heavens, I join with Your creation in being a light for the dark world. It is Your light that shines through me! It is You who lifts me up! You are the fulfillment of my destiny!
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