One of the coolest things I remember is when my husband and I were in Israel sitting at the foothills of the Sea of Galilee one night. While we sat there talking, we couldn’t help but look. We were drawn to the intense blackness of the mountains around us. The intensity of the blackness and what’s “out there” was unreal yet it drew us in. But then something began to happened.
The longer we looked, seemingly out of no we began to see glimmers of light appearing here, then there, then over there…out of nowhere flickers of light.
The ratio (light vs black) there was no comparison. The darkness ruled in quantity, but the light ruled in quality for their shine was more brilliant against that blackness –it made them sparkle and glimmer even more!
It was an most amazing site to behold because just moments before there was complete and utter blackness–you would have never known there were people, homes, life up there on those hilltops.
This memory is embedded in my mind because it draws my heart and soul to think about what Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” [Matthew 5:14-16].
Truly, Jesus knew what He was talking about and the imagery that He used is powerful purposeful. It is impossible to hide even your small flame in the midst of complete blackness.
We deceive ourselves to think we don’t have “blackness or darkness” around us. The Bible calls it ‘spiritual warfare’ and/or sin.
It comes in many ways: the devil’s attacks, the lost world around us that needs Christ as Savior yet chooses to reject Him, it even comes from our own sinful flesh.
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I cannot help but think – “Is my light on?” Is your light on?
Yes, I am a child of God [thank you, Lord for saving my soul!]; I am a sinner saved by grace; I know where my eternity will be spent despite my human weaknesses and faults. It is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed; His love is not determined by my actions or love for Him. His love doesn’t change. He doesn’t love us anymore or anyless. But is my light on for Christ?
I don’t know about you, but I am eternally indebted to Christ. Christ didn’t have to save me on March 9, 1982, but He did! My life is not my own, it belongs to Christ.
Sitting at that mountainside in Israel, seeing those glimmering lights, hearing Jesus’ words in Matthew it causes me to wonder about my heart of gratitude, love, dedication to God, have I spiritually changed (grown) over the years? Has my love increased for God or decreased? Am I like that light or candle set on a hilltop that can be seen for miles that points others to Christ? Or have I grown comfortable in this earthly life and placed God secondary to myself?
What about you friend? Is your light on? Or have you been slowly turning it on the dimmer? Maybe you have already placed your candle stick under a bushel and you have grown lukewarm or even cold like in Revelations? You can turn back to Christ, but it takes repentance on your part. God loves you!
Jesus is clear when He said in Matthew, “YOU are the light of the world” may we not let Him down. May we do everything, in His power to please Him and shine where He plants us!
Is your light…
ON???
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE 